La Nuova Italia. "La Guerra Che Noi Preferiamo" (The New Italy. "The War we Prefer")
New York: Nikola Press, 1939. First edition. Hardcover. Elephant Folio (15 7/8 x 13"). Original light brown half cloth over illustrated paper-covered boards with black-border gray lettering creating the effect of thre-dimensionality. Cover illustration by Attila Gremigni. Photogravure by Oreste Cuppini. With portrait of Vittorio Emanuele III of Italy and bust of Mussolini at front.
Italian title published in America to impress and stir the interest among Americans for the Fascist program in Italy.
De Glauco in his preface suggest that the object of this publication is to make Italy known to the world through pictorial representation, assuming that it will make Italians proud while foreigners indoctrinated by anti-Italian propaganda will feel regret in view of his prejudice... The object of this book is to make known some of the accomplishments of the Fascist Regime. The books is profusely illustrated with spectacular b/w photographs and full page photogravures in slightly changing tones.
The first chapter depicts W.W.I. as a great victory for Italy and illustrates Mussolini's participation and experience during the war leading into the "red days" with anti-Italians fleeing the advance of the fascists during the March on Rome. A depiction in photogravure of tall fuming smokestacks in light burgundy color is headlined "This is the war which we prefer" – Mussolini. The forceful "blood and soil" propaganda tone is reflected throughout the publication as it is in the second photogravure, reproduced in the same color tone, "When the soil is fertile, the people are happy." – Mussolini, opening the extended chapter on Italian agriculture.
The following chapters treat motherhood and childhood including subchapters on young Fascists, sports in Italy, housing and medical issues, an extensive chapter on aviation, the Italian Navy, roads and bridges, aqueducts, railroads, low-cost housing, Rome and other major Italian cities as well as provinces, including Italian Libya. The final chapter deals with the Italian Empire (and its definition: A Will to Power Capable of Surmounting all obstacles) with subchapters on Autarchy and the Duce. The final sixty pages contain advertisements and introductions of entrepreneurs.
Text in Italian. Binding with some wear along edges, some scuffing along edges and light scuffs on cover. Back cover with some soiling and one inch of cloth binding loose at top of spine but present, not damaged. Binding rubbed. Front free endpaper with vertical crease but not damaged except for minor chip at top right corner. Endpapers with very light aerial foxing. Binding in overall good, interior in good+ to very good condition. g to vg. Item #48108
Price: $500.00