MAFFEI. La Merope tragedia con annotazioni dell'autore. 4to, 205x150 mm; full vellum binding, gilt title on label on back, sprinkled edges. Pp. 384, 6 plates on copper. Engraved frontispiece drawned by G. B. Tiepolo and engraved by A. Zucchi. Engraving on titlepage. Woodcut initial letters, head-pieces and end-pieces. The engravings are by P. Q. Chedel. The name of author, Scipione Maffei, is present in the dedication. Starts each with own half-title the works: La merope tragedie del marquis Scipione Maffei [leaf D1r]; Letter from Mr. di Voltaire [T1r:]; Reply to Mr. di Voltaire's letter [Y4r]; Merope tragedie par monsieur le marquis Scipion Maffei [2D4r]; Merope a tragedy in the original Italian of the marquis Scipio Maffei [2N3r]; Confutazione della critica ultimamente stampa [2Y2r]. Nice specimen. Beautifully illustrated edition of Maffei's most important tragedy, followed by a rich documentation related to it, such as the Annotations, the Letter of Mr. Voltaire, the French translation by Freret of the tragedy, a Confutation of the criticism, the composition "For the death of Electoral principle " The Merope, which appeared in 1713 and was very successful at the Modena court, caused the literary figures of the time to discuss for years. This was due to Maffei's attempt to "modernize" Euripides' theme, adapting it to the tastes of the time. It knew immense fortune, being quickly imitated by authors such as Voltaire and Alfieri. In addition to antiquarian studies, the Maffei never ceased, even in the following decades, to take an interest in theatrical themes. In addition to the frontispiece, etched by Zucchi and taken from a drawing by G. B. Tiepolo, the other five tables outside the text, engraved by Q. Chedel are taken from drawings by L. Tocque. In the text, the etched headpieces and endpieces depict bas-reliefs and ornaments of the Lapidary Museum of Maffei.