BURCKHARDT, Jacob (1818-1897)

[The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy] Die Cultur der Renaissance in Italien [Otto Wesendonck's copy]

Basel: Druck und Verlag der Schweighauser'schen Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1860. Decorative Cloth. First Edition of this classics of Renaissance historiography, from the library of Otto Wesendonck, patron of the composer Richard Wagner. Demy 8vo (221 x 133mm): 4],576pp. Original moire-pattern purple cloth, covers blocked in blind with intricate oval device, spine lettered and ruled in gilt, brown patterned end papers. Wesendonck's engraved book plate to front paste-down, with his contemporary ownership inscription to front free fly-leaf and blind library stamp to tile page . Basel postage stamp laid in. Spine lightened a degree or two, very occasional foxing, otherwise an exemplary example, tightly bound, pages remarkably fresh and bright, virtually pristine. PMM 347. Fine. Item #BB2705

This milestone of cultural history, written by Burckhardt between 1855 and 1858, cast a "powerful spell . . . upon such widely different writers as Ruskin, Nietzsche and Gobineau, as well as upon innumerable lovers of the most magnificent period of European history." Lord Acton called it, "The most penetrating and subtle treatise on the history of civilization." (PMM) Divided into six parts: the State as a Work of Art, Development of the Individual, Revival of Antiquity, Discovery of the World and of Man, Society and Festivals, and Morality and Religion. A two-volume English translation appeared in 1878. Otto Wesendonck's (1815-1896) success as a silk merchant made him a generous patron of the arts and enabled him to provide significant financial support to one of his favorite composers, Richard Wagner, throughout the 1850s. For a time, the Wagner's lived in a villa on Wesendonck's estate in Zurich, and Otto would eventually purchase the copyright of the four Ring operas. Wagner became infatuated with Wesendonck's wife, the poet Agnes Mathilde Luckemeyer (1828-1902). She exerted considerable influence over his music and provided the words to the Wesendonck Lieder song cycle. Their passionate relationship (whether platonic or otherwise) came to an end in 1858 when Minna Wagner accused them of adultery. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, carefully preserved in archival, removable mylar sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).

Price: $1,474.00