Figure 123
Italic in Dedication of Gerusalemme Liberata: Albrizzi, Venice
From a copy in Harvard College Library (facsimile), Library of Congress (scan)
1745
In 1745 a most imposing edition of Tasso’s Gerusalemme Liberata, in folio, was printed at Venice by Albrizzi. This edition—dedicated to Maria Theresa—owes its chief splendour to Piazzetta’s illustrations and ornaments, which are delightful. But it is, too, an effective piece of printing. In spite of employing types which, on examination, are terribly coarse, they “play up” manfully to the gorgeous designs!