Italiani di Mussolini in A. O. (Mussolini's Italian East Africa)
Bologna: Printed by Licinio Cappeli, 1937. Deluxe Edition. Hardcover. Elephant Folio, unnumbered (16 1/4 x 13"). 570pp. Original sculpted copper pipes adorning spine over silver-stamped caramel leather with embossed eagle in modern design, overlapped by an aluminum edge of a battle ax and wooden molding designed by F. Capelli, executed by G. Biserni & Sons; housed in peanut hemp canvas clamshell box with protective vermilion felt fabric (18 3/8 x 14 1/2 x 4"). Gilt edges. Decorative marbled endpapers. Title page printed in red and black with beige offset reproduction of stylized eagle as the center of a double edge battle ax. Golden ribbon marker. Design (drawings) by Luigi del Giudice (Gigi), graphics by Spartaco Garroni.
The publication documents the Italian conquest of East Africa proudly stating "we conquered an empire in seven months and five battles" on half-title. It was offered in different editions: our edition with leather lining of the covers and elaborate ornamentation as described above was the presentation copy reserved for high-ranking party members only. The block features several pages with faint silhouettes of soldiers, airplanes, etc. overprinted onto some of the text pages as well as striking illustrative silhouettes with b/w typographical headers for each chapter. Silhouettes by Lorilleux & C. Milan. At the same time the cloth trade edition and a cloth edition with elaborate ornamentation were published.
A staunch example of national imperialist expression published on the occasion of the fifteenth anniversary of the fascist takeover in Italy following the March on Rome in October 1922. Illustrated with seven hundred and twenty photographs in b/w and color maps from the L.U.C.E. (Educational Film Union), created in 1924 as a propaganda tool for the fascist regime. Listing of the army units involved, a rough chronology of the African campaign, lists of heroes and the fallen heroes at rear. The printing of the work was completed on February 20th, 1937. Contains a photographic report of the refurbishing of this copy to its original state by "Bottega fagnola" in Torino, 17 leaves, documenting that state of the copy before, during and after the restoration. Fine condition. Item #48602
Price: $12,500.00