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Tasso (Torquato) Gerusalemme Liberata, 1745.

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first edition, first issue, half-title, finely engraved frontispiece, title in red and black with engraved vignette, portrait of Empress Marie Theresa in 2 states, 20 engraved plates, initials and large head- and tail-pieces by Giambattista Piazzetta, list of subscribers, very good wide margins, a few small stains and a little light foxing, but generally a crisp and clean copy, contemporary half calf, rebacked, preserving backstrip, this chipped and with some identations, rubbed and scuffed, preserved in cloth drop-back box, [Tasso Bib.261; Morazzoni 256; Lanckoronska 240], folio, Giambatista Albrizzi, Venice, 1745.

***A very good copy of this masterpiece of 18th century Venetian book production. "It is apt to consider the most beautiful illustrated book, the Gerusalemme Liberata by Piazzetta. Piazetta proceeds from miracle to miracle...and transforms vignettes into the first real decorative etchings.".