[Giovanni Boccaccio]; [Charles Balguy] [Trans.] — The Decameron; or, Ten Days Entertainment

London, R. Dodsley , 1741. Leather. The first edition of Charles Balguy's English translation of Boccaccio's "Decameron," an influential 18th century rendering of this captivating collection of one hundred tales. In a contemporary full calf binding. The first edition of Charles Balguy's English translation, published anonymously.  ESTC No.: T128696. The text and register are continuous, despite the pagination.  Balguy's translation was one of the principal English versions of Boccaccio's Decameron. Originally composed in the mid-14th century, The Decameron is structured around ten young Florentines who escape the Black Death by retiring to the countryside, where they tell one hundred stories over ten days.  Balguy's version is notably an expurgated translation. In adapting Boccaccio for 18th century English readership, he omitted two of the more sexually explicit tales and softened other passages considered indecent.  An important 18th century English edition of one of the foundational works of European literature.  In a contemporary full calf binding. Externally, somewhat worn. Joints cracked, with boards a little loose but holding by the cords. Calf rubbed and bumped to the extremities, with minor chipping and surface loss, more pronounced along the joints and at the spine ends. Spine slightly creased and rubbed, with slight fading and rubbing. The odd light handling mark to boards. Front hinge strained with sewing exposed. Front free endpaper largely detached, holding only at a small portion of the upper gutter, with associated edge wear and creasing. Title page partially detached at the upper gutter. Scattered spotting to endpapers. Text block otherwise generally firmly bound. Pages characteristically age toned, more pronounced to the odd gathering, with scattered light spotting and the odd minor handling mark. Good . Ill.: None Stated. Good .