BELPHAGOR (Rodale Miniature Books)

Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1954. Hard Cover/Stitched. Very Good/Good. Danuta Laskowska (Illustrator). Tex/NEW. Boards/Fine. Glassine DJ/Good; nips, chips to upper edges & loss to upper front corner. (2) PO names to fEP (one w/strike-out). Translation of a humorous satire on the woes of marriage translated from a version penned in the 16th century by illustrious statesman and historian, Niccolò Machiavelli (1469 - 1527); author of the treatise on statecraft, The Prince, in which it is argued, for pragmatism, political cunning and unethical methods of governance is justified. It has been suggested that this lively novella of marital unhappiness by Machiavelli is autobiographical --- that antecedents can be traced to old Latin and sacred writings of the Hebrews, renders it unlikely. Though unstated, this edition is of Thomas Roscoe's translation.