Bound in calfskin leather and embellished in gold, a unique 1544 edition of Dante’s Divine Comedy was added to the collection at UW Libraries this year. The tome offers a variety of intriguing elements, according to Julie Tanaka, the associate dean for Distinctive Collections at UW Libraries. The creation is nearly 500 years old, likely enduring for so long due to its pages being crafted from strong linen fiber instead of wood pulp. Moreover, the bespoke leather exterior and robust binding have aided in its preservation. When librarians handle the volume today, they utilize foam wedges to support the cover, which serves to shield the ancient spine.

Julie Tanaka, associate dean for Distinctive Collections at UW LibrariesUW News

When this book was created, it was common practice for individuals to purchase the pages and bring them to be bound within a cover of their preference. Books were valuable and handled with diligence. It is probable that this specific edition received its current leather binding one century after it was published. Additionally, some marginal notes written in Italian can be found, left by its previous owner.

It may have been typical for a publication from this era in northern Italy to be printed approximately 1,000 times. Presently, remaining copies are scarce, although a few collections along the West Coast have managed to obtain some.

Dante Alighieri was an Italian poet of the medieval period, authoring the Divine Comedy in the early 1300s. This edition stands out for featuring side-by-side text from a prominent 16th-century commentator on Dante, Alessandro Vellutello, along with elaborately crafted wood-cut illustrations depicting Dante’s interpretations of hell, purgatory, and heaven.

“What captivates me is the prospect that there will be elements within this book that resonate with everyone,” Tanaka expressed. “It presents numerous chances for exploration and interaction. This is exactly why we exist at UW Libraries.”

The Vellutello Dante can be explored in the Special Collections Reading Room by scheduling an appointment through the catalog link here or by reaching out to Special Collection via email ([email protected]).