An extraordinary, museum-grade specimen for connoisseurs of antiquarian bookbinding and women's literary history. This is an authentic 1803 first-edition printing of Abele Tragedia (Abel: A Tragedy) by the celebrated Roman poet and playwright Maria Fulvia Bertocchi (1775–1852), remarkably preserved in its original, temporary domino paper wrappers.
Features & Historical Significance:
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The Rare Domino Wrapper: The book is bound in its original 18th-century brochure style, featuring a stunning sheet of domino paper (papier dominoté). The geometric pattern was hand-stamped via carved woodblock, with the reddish-purple highlights carefully applied using period stencil techniques. Because these decorative wrappers were meant to be discarded when a book was taken to a bindery for custom leather work, surviving examples are incredibly scarce.
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The Text: A powerful neoclassical tragic retelling of the biblical story of Cain and Abel, highlighting Bertocchi's prominent position within the Roman literary salons of the transitional Napoleonic Era.
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The Printing: Issued in Rome (In Roma MDCCCIII) by the historic Stamperia Caetani on the Esquiline Hill (Nella Stamperia Caetani sul Colle Esquilino), featuring official ecclesiastical licensing (Con facoltà de' Superiori).
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Provenance: The title page features a beautifully inked, fluid contemporary Italian ownership inscription: "Ad uso del P. Alberto d'Onano M.O." (For the use of Father Alberto d'Onano).
- Condition: Exceptional for a fragile paper-wrapped volume. The domino paper remains vibrant with expected, minor chipping along the extreme edges and spine. The inner title page displays light, natural toning and a crisp, deep typographic impression.
- Measurements: 5.5" x 8". 96 pages.
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