The most beautiful illustrated venetian book. TASSO. La Gerusalemme Liberata. 1745

Large folio, mm. 470x322; Contemporary full vellum binding with gilded frame on the covers, gilded title on a label at the spine; 14 leaves nn., 258 errors numbering. In detail: Leaves [14, Half title, frontispiece, itlepage in red and black, Portrait of the Empress, 10 leaves of text], 103 [i.e. 102, 1], 104-126, [1], 127-137, [1], 138-172, [1], 173-253, [2]. Pictorial Frontispiece, vignette on Titlepage, portrait of Maria Teresa, 20 magnificent copper plates with device and decication in the lower margin, 20 nice headpieces, 20 nice final Vignettes, 6 at full page and 2 out text, 21 Inhabitated initials, all engraved on copper. The out text plates are drawed by G.B. Piazzetta and engraved by F. Polanzani. Good copy, printed on strong paper with wide margins.

First edition in first issue. Haskell: "The most famous of all Venetian eighteenth-century books". First edition in the first issue of this famous book, considered the most beautiful printed in Venice in the 18th century. The first edition of this work is distinguished by the portrait of the Empress in mature age and the plates with the coat of arms and dedication.