Books

"Le Avventure di Pinocchio, Storia di un Burattino" by Carlo Collodi. Florence: Felice Paggi, 1888. Fourth edition. 234, [2] pages and 12-page publisher's catalogue. Frontispiece and in-text illustrations by Enrico Mazzanti. Publisher's original green cloth, black pictorial decorations to boards, front board lettered in gilt, spine lettered in black. Blue endpapers, all edges trimmed, top edge stained blue. Staining and sunning to boards, scattered ink blots to both boards, corners bumped, head and tail of spine pushed. Bookseller's ticket and ink ownership to front pastedown, two ink gift inscriptions to front free endpaper, front hinge weak, front free endpaper and frontispiece detached but present. Text block moderately toned. Overall, in good condition. Rare early Italian Pinocchio edition.

The classic children's novel that tells the story of a wooden puppet named Pinocchio, created by the carpenter Geppetto. Upon being carved, Pinocchio magically comes to life and embarks on a series of adventures, driven by his dream of becoming a real boy. Pinocchio is curious and often disobedient, leading him into various troubles. Despite the guidance of the Talking Cricket, who acts as his conscience, Pinocchio frequently falls into mischief. His nose grows longer each time he lies, serving as a physical manifestation of his dishonesty. Throughout the story, Pinocchio encounters a host of memorable characters, including the deceitful Fox and Cat, who trick him out of his money, and the kind Fairy with Turquoise Hair, who helps him multiple times and acts as a maternal figure. Pinocchio’s journey is one of self-discovery and moral education, highlighting the virtues of honesty, hard work, and the importance of education. Key episodes include Pinocchio’s transformation into a donkey after being lured to the Land of Toys, his escape from the belly of a giant fish, and his repeated attempts to reunite with Geppetto, who is consistently loving and forgiving. In the end, after a series of trials and personal growth, Pinocchio’s selflessness and bravery lead to his transformation into a real boy, symbolizing his moral and personal development. The novel is celebrated for its rich moral lessons, engaging narrative, and whimsical characters. Collodi’s tale has left a lasting impact on children’s literature and has been adapted into numerous films, television shows, and stage productions, the most famous being Disney’s 1940 animated film. "The Adventures of Pinocchio" remains a timeless story about the journey to becoming one’s true self.