I Fioretti del Glorioso Poverello di Cristo S. Francesco di Assisi by Francesco di Assisi (1181-1226) - 1922

Chelsea:: Ashendene Press,, 1922. First Edition, thus. Hardcover. Like New. LIMITED EDITION of 240 copies on paper and 12 copies on vellum, this is one of the paper copies. 8vo. 8 7/8 x 6 1/8 inches. [ii], i-viii, [2], 239, [1] pp. Text printed in red and black, decorative initials in red and blue designed by Graily Hewitt, 53 woodcut illustrations by Charles M. Gere throughout, printer's device on the colophon in red; text clean, unmarked. Original limp vellum, spine titled in gilt, green silk ties; binding square and tight. Fine. The Little Flowers of St. Francis contains excerpts from various of St. Francis' written works, divided into 53 short chapters, illustrating the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. The collection became a classic collection of popular legends about Saint Francis and his early companions. Written a century and a half after the death of Francis of Assisi, the text is not regarded as an important primary source for the saint's biography, but it was the most popular account of his life and relates many colorful anecdotes, miracles and pious examples from the life of Francis and his early followers. It is considered a masterpiece of Italian literature and a masterful work of the Middle Ages. REFERENCE: St. John Hornby, A Descriptive Bibliography of the Books Printed at the Ashendene Press, No. XXXI.