Featured Dante's Inferno - Gustave Dore

I thought that this antique copy of Dante's Inferno was particularly good quality, so I won the bid and brought it home. It doesn't have a printing date inside, but it appears to have some age. Was looking on eBay and old copies of Dante's Inferno apparently seem to sell very well. I can't seem to find any comparable to this book on Abe Books, eBay, or anywhere else for that matter. Wanted to get your thoughts on my $27.50 (+ tax) investment/addition to my hoard.

Thanks,
Joe

 

Well,Dore died in 1883 (at 51!) so it was at least before 1883. Its a lovely book.Id guess 1870s ,but thats just a guess.I read that ages ago for a college class but darned if I remember anything about it!

 

illustrated with the designs of........

is that the same as ....... illustrated by ... ?

 

Awesome cover and condition!

The following have the same title pages with different covers.
https://www.onesourceauctions.com/a...-illustrated-with-the-designs-of-m_8F4485EBB5

https://www.etsy.com/hk-en/listing/1521488081/1887-rare-gustave-dore-dantes-inferno

This may give better clue as to value. It too has an hard to find cover.
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/dantes-inferno-1885-gustave-dore-1732485053

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/dantes-inferno-gustave-dore-demons-130320153

 

Found the cover, but different publisher ...
https://www.onesourceauctions.com/a...o-by-dante-alighieri-and-henry-fra_CE6498097D

Your cover looks deluxe!

The following is still a different publisher, but with a more deluxe cover ...
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1885-dantes-inferno-illustrated-143372315

 

Not quite as luxe as the example above. The best way to date your volume is by the publisher. According to this, the firm was renamed P.F. Collier & Son in 1898 after the founder's son joined the firm so that's your latest date.

http://daytoninmanhattan.blogspot.com/2019/08/the-p-f-collier-co-building-416-424.html

Debora

 

According to the internet, P.F. Collier started his publishing company, in part, by purchasing the printing plates of a book from another publisher and reprinting it in (what one assumes) a less expensive version. I expect that's what the OP's edition is.

Debora

 

Collier is usually a reprinter; in this case, Cassell is the earlier publisher, of better quality, but Doré illustrated books are always in demand and often in poor shape. You got a good deal.

 

I believe that Dore did his designs in ink washes, but they were engraved by others and, as I recall, principally the Dalziel Brothers.

Printing plates, once made, can travel around a lot, and last a long time.

 

The book is preserved in very, very good condition, where can I get one for my collection?)

 

I have one with the same cover. However, the publisher is not Collier. Mine says Belford, Clark & Co., Publishers 1885. I know it was a gift to a family member in March 1907. I have not been able to determine value.

 

I suggest you do a search on abebooks.com, biblio.com and/or ebay.com Completed Listings. Keep in mind that the first two will reflect offer prices. The second will give you an idea of both consumer interest (i.e. how many are available and how many of those found a buyer) and selling prices. Keep in mind that old doesn't equal valuable in the book world and condition can be important, especially when the book in question is a classic.

Debora