Bidspirit auction | [LITERATURE] - CASANOVA Giacomo (1725

[LITERATURE] - CASANOVA Giacomo (1725 - 1798) - Rare Political Pamphlet By Casanova – Defence Of Venice And Critique Of Oligarchy – First Edition, 1785 - CASANOVA, Giacomo (1725 - 1798). ”Supplimento alla Esposizione ragionata della controversia che sussiste tra la Repubblica di Venezia e quella d’Olanda”. [Venice] [no publisher], 1785. 8vo (203 x 140 mm). Woodcut frieze on the title page; the last 3 pages are blank (some foxing). Contemporary paperback binding (minor damage to the binding) preserved in a modern slipcase. Extremely rare first edition, a large copy in good condition with small foxing. This staunch defense of Venice in a dispute against the Dutch Republic represented Casanova’s last desperate attempt to win the favor of the Venetian authorities in the hope of returning to the city, which, however, would never welcome him back. The text also contains a harsh attack on the power of the Venetian oligarchy, which, according to the writer, would lead to the Republic’s political and economic decline. In the same year, the pamphlet was preceded by the publication of the *Esposizione ragionata*, which, despite being richer in details regarding individual events, did not match the refinement and legal rigor of the arguments in the *Supplimento*. This very copy is the only one recorded as having been sold at auction in recent years (it fetched £2,880 in 2005; RBH). Provenance: Benedetto Marchese Polesini-Parenzo Library (on the inside of the cover, a heraldic label with its call number—an oval heraldic stamp—and the library’s ex-libris). •⁠> This lot is located in and ships from Italy. An Italian export license is required prior to shipment, which may cause delays. The Auction House will take care of the export license at no cost to the buyer. Import duties and taxes in the destination country are the buyer's responsibility.