As part of the Visualizing the Text section of the Decameron Web, we are privileged to present images from three early editions of the Decameron from the collections of the Harvard College Library:
Boccaccio, Giovanni, 1313-1375. Decamerone ouer Cento nouelle. f†. Venice, Bartolomeo de' Zanni, July 5, 1504. *IC.B6308D. 1552, Department of Rare Books, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library.
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Boccaccio, Giovanni, 1313-1375. Il decamerone. 4† in 8's. Florence, Filippo Giunta, July 29, 1516. Typ 525.16.223, Department of Printing and Graphic Arts, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library.
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Boccaccio, Giovanni, 1313-1375. Il decamerone (Ed. L. Dolce). 4† in 8's. Venice, Gabriele Giolito de' Ferrari and brothers, 1552. Typ 525.04.223F, Department of Printing and Graphic Arts, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library.
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The introductory page for each edition includes a detailed bibliographical description, with notes on the provenance of the woodcuts. These are taken from the Catalogue of books and manuscripts of Harvard College Library, Part 1, Italian 16th century books, 2 vols, compiled by Ruth Mortimer (Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1974). Thumbnails of the images are then displayed alongside a bibliographical description of each page. The user is able to view each image in two sizes, allowing both an overall view of the page and a detailed close-up. All images are reproduced with the permission of the Houghton Library of the Harvard College Library.
(G.A.)