1921 ❧ [BREMER PRESSE]. DANTE ALIGHIERI. 1265-1321. La Divina Commedia. Edited by Berthold Wiese. Munich: Bremer Presse, 1921. Folio (335 x 210 mm). Title page and colossal text initials designed by Anna Simons. Contemporary calf, gilt-ruling surrounding central Baroque cartouche gilt-stamped 'IL DANTE,' spine gilt, by the workshop of Giulio Giannini e Figlio (Firenze), executed for Tammaro De Marinis; folding case. Provenance: Tammaro De Marinis (bookplate, binding). LIMITED EDITION, number 176 of 300 copies. Founded in 1911 by Willy Wiegand, the Bremer Presse is considered as Germany's counterpoint to the English Doves and Ashendene presses. Rejecting all illustrations or distracting layout decorations, the press relied entirely upon the absolute pure architecture of typography, immaculate hand-inked printing, and masterfully cut proprietary fonts. The work was printed in the proprietary Antiqua type of the Bremer Presse under the supervision of Willy Wiegand on hand-made Zanders deckle-edged paper. This 1921 centenary production of Dante's La Divina Commedia stands as one of the press's highest and most sought-after achievements. The graphic power of the book rests completely on the breathtaking typographic initial letters and titles custom-drawn by Anna Simons, the star pupil of Edward Johnston (the father of modern formal calligraphy). Her iconic nested and overlapping letterforms (visible in the interlocking O and M ligatures of the title) perfectly complement the stark, unpunctuated verse blocks. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing