Description
Offered here is a handsome, substantial two-volume English edition of The Romance of Leonardo da Vinci by Dmitri Merejkowski (also commonly spelled Merezhkovsky), an influential Russian historical novelist. This is the authorized translation from the Russian by Herbert Trench, published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons (The Knickerbocker Press), New York and London. The set is illustrated throughout, credited on the title pages as “With 66 Illustrations.” Likely published circa early 1900s (approximately 1906-1912) based on the Putnam/Knickerbocker format.
This work is notable for its rich, idea-driven portrait of Renaissance Italy and Leonardo’s world, and it is widely associated with Merejkowski’s historical cycle often referred to as “Christ and Antichrist.” The period art plates (including Renaissance portrait subjects such as Lorenzo de’ Medici) add strong display appeal.
Key details and condition notes:
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Two-volume set: Volume I and Volume II
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G. P. Putnam’s Sons / The Knickerbocker Press (New York & London)
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Authorized translation by Herbert Trench
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Illustrated (called for: 66 illustrations); examples of plates shown in photos
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Attractive half-leather style binding with red cloth panels, gilt ruling, and raised bands
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Condition: noticeable rubbing and edge wear to leather, including loss along spine edges; toned page edges from age; small pencil note on an endpaper; overall shelf wear consistent with an early 20th-century set
Please view all photos for the most accurate sense of condition and what is included. Illustrations are present (examples shown); full plate-by-plate verification can be done against the list of illustrations within the volumes.
