A very special antique first edition book. Signed by the author Elbert Hubbard. “Of this edition there were printed and specially illumined by hand but Nine Hundred and Forty copies, and this book is Number 706." “Of all the operas that Verdi wrote, The best, to my taste, is the Trovatore; And Mario can soothe, with a tenor note, The souls in purgatory…” Beginning of poem by Bulwer-Lytton. Printed on Roycroft hand-made watermarked paper. Bound in original brown suede with gilt titles on cover and top edge in gilt. Portrait of Verdi with tissue-guard. Illuminated throughout. Hardcover. Being 122 years old this book shows quite a bit of wear to the suede cover and page edges, but I didn’t notice any damage to the page faces. A section has come free of the spine but nothing is missing. Tissue paper is even still inside protecting pages. Please see all pictures for complete item description. Returns aren’t accepted on antique items. Thank you for looking! Offers welcome.