Dante Alighieri; Dante Gabriel Rossetti [trans.]; Alfred Mercer [music] — The New Life

London, George G. Harrap & Co, c1916. Leather. A charming, illustrated translation of La Vita Nuova, Dante Alighiere's medieval literary masterpiece of courtly love. An early, scarce edition of this wonderful translation of Dante's romantic prosimetrum verse, Incipit Vita Nova.  Undated, dated from Jisc and the copy held by the British Library.  Rebound in modern, quarter calf with marbled paper boards. First translated into English by Dante Gabriel Rossetti in 1861. This edition with coloured illustrations by Evelyn Paul, a British illustrator known for her medieval and romantic subjects. She frequently contributed artwork to deluxe, early twentieth-century literary editions. Illustrated with eight full-page coloured illustrations and a further plates tipped-in, in-text. Each page with gilt decorative illustrations, all beautifully produced in a medieval style. Also with excellent, musical sheets by Alfred Mercer. Ending with the colophon; 'Empryntit at ye Camperfield presse in ye abbeye toun of Saynt Albans England&apos. With an illustrated half title. An intricate and beautifully presented translation of this timeless poem of courtly love. Rebound in modern, quarter calf. Externally, excellent. Only minor bumping to extremities. Hinges starting at boards, though holding firm. Archival reinforcement to front free and half title. Otherwise, internally firmly bound. Pages bright and clean with marginal age toning. Scattered spotting to first and last pages. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: Evelyn Paul. Very Good Indeed .