- 29
Leopardi, Giacomo
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
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Description
- Leopardi, Giacomo
- Autograph letter signed (Giacomo Leopardi”), about his essay on the scholar Angelo Mai
- paper
to the publisher Antonio Stella in Milan, enquiring if his essay on “il Diogini del Mai” [i.e. Mai's discovery of Dionysius of Halicarnassus], might be included in the next issue of the Spettatore Italiano, urging Stella that, if so, it should be published quickly, because of the novelty of the subject matter, but that he should take particular care over the small amount of Greek text in the essay, since it comprises a number of detailed emendations which would be rendered quite unintelligible by any errors of type-setting; Leopardi promises to send him any further dissertations he writes on the many discoveries of Angelo Mai, and asks if copies might be sent to his father and to the critic known as Mezio
1 page, 4to (c.24 x 19cm), address-panel on verso, traces of seal, annotated by the recipient, Recanati, 14 November 1817, overall browning and spotting, one small hole slightly affecting the text, seal tear at corner
1 page, 4to (c.24 x 19cm), address-panel on verso, traces of seal, annotated by the recipient, Recanati, 14 November 1817, overall browning and spotting, one small hole slightly affecting the text, seal tear at corner
Literature
Tutte le opere di Giacomo Leopardi, edited by Francesco Flora, volume 5 (1949), no.54 ("Autografo nella biblioteca del maestro Arturo Toscanini. Riscontrato per mio invito dal dott. Walter Toscanini").
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
...Bensì la prego che voglia darsi pensiero di ritirarla subito, e di fare che il poco di greco che v'è, sia eseguito con diligenza, perchè consistendo in piccoli passi e in minute emendazioni di qualche sillaba o lettera, ogni piccolo errore verrebbe a rendere inintelligibili interi periodi...
Letters by Giacomo Leopardi are of the greatest rarity at auction. We can trace only one record at auction outside Italy within the last twenty-five years: a letter in the Albin Schramm sale at Christie's in 2007. Leopardi is one of Italy's greatest Romantic poets.
Leopardi's essay on Angelo Mai (1782-1854) relates to Mai's discovery of last nine books of the “Roman Antiquities” of Dionysius of Halicarnassus (60BC-7BC). This was only one of many such discoveries that the great classical scholar made at the Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan, where he was then custodian. In 1820, Leopardi composed “Ad Angelo Mai”, praising his discovery of Cicero's De Re Publica.
Letters by Giacomo Leopardi are of the greatest rarity at auction. We can trace only one record at auction outside Italy within the last twenty-five years: a letter in the Albin Schramm sale at Christie's in 2007. Leopardi is one of Italy's greatest Romantic poets.
Leopardi's essay on Angelo Mai (1782-1854) relates to Mai's discovery of last nine books of the “Roman Antiquities” of Dionysius of Halicarnassus (60BC-7BC). This was only one of many such discoveries that the great classical scholar made at the Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan, where he was then custodian. In 1820, Leopardi composed “Ad Angelo Mai”, praising his discovery of Cicero's De Re Publica.