RARE FIRST EDITION OF JONATHAN SUTHERLAND BLACK'S DANTE, 1890, BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED BY SCOTTISH ARTS & CRAFTS ICON PHOEBE TRAQUAIR, FEATURING A PRESENTATION INSCRIPTION BY THE AUTHOR OF THE PREFACE, WITH A LOVELY BINDING DESIGNED BY TRAQUAIR

(TRAQUAIR, Phoebe and BLACK, John Sutherland). Dante. Illustrations and Notes. Edinburgh: Privately Printed / T. & A. Constable, 1890. Octavo, original maroon paper boards expertly rebacked, gilt cover illustration, patterned endpapers, top edge gilt, uncut.

Rare first edition of this beautiful Scottish study of Dante and his Divine comedy, written by John Sutherland Black and strikingly illustrated by Scottish Arts and Crafts artist Phoebe Anna Traquair, featuring a presentation inscription by the author of the preface, Rev. Alexander Whyte, in deluxe gilt-stamped binding designed by Traquair.

Written by John Sutherland Black, a Scottish biblical scholar and editor of the Encyclopaedia Britannica and Dictionary of National Biography, this work traces the Dante's literary history, including a biography, a short bibliography of the Divine Comedy, and an alphabetical catalog of Dante's "library" (i.e. certain and probable literary influences). It is also beautifully illustrated by Scottish artist Phoebe Traquair who the National Library of Scotland also credits with designing the lovely binding. A central figure within the Scottish Arts and Crafts tradition, Phoebe Anna Traquair was the first important professional woman artist of modern Scotland. She worked prolifically in such diverse media as embroidery, enamelwork, book-binding, manuscript illumination and mural decoration. While Traquair is well known for manuscript illumination during her period of peak productivity (1890-1902), this work explores line engraving. In detailed black-and-white illustrations, Traquair here illustrates the circles of the Inferno. Preface by Dr. Whyte, commending Black's scholarship and the "original and sympathetic genius" of Traquair. Half title ink presentation inscription written by the author of the preface, reading: "Harriet Matheson from Alexander Whyte." Alexander White was a cleric and scholar who went on to become the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland. Pencil owner inscription.

A few spots of soiling to interior, only most minor rubbing to binding. A near-fine copy, rare in any condition.