A Masterwork for Collectors: Marc Burckhardt’s Edition of Dante Paradiso
Ten years in the making, Marc Burckhardt’s illustrated edition of Dante’s Paradiso marks the completion of a rare publishing achievement. The book concludes Easton Press’s deluxe series of The Divine Comedy — a project that began with Inferno and Purgatorio, and now reaches its final ascent into light.
The Story
Written by Dante Alighieri in the early 14th century, follows the poet’s imagined journey through the afterlife. Guided first by the Roman poet Virgil and later by Beatrice, Dante travels from the depths of Hell to the mountain of Purgatory and, at last, to the celestial spheres of Heaven.
Paradiso is the culmination of that journey — a meditation on divine order, vision, and redemption. It is considered one of the defining works of Western literature.
The Collectors Edition
Easton Press has produced Paradiso as a limited edition of 1,200 hand-numbered and signed copies. Each is fully bound in genuine leather with 22-karat gold inlay on a hubbed spine and printed on archival, acid-neutral paper. The book’s pages are sewn rather than glued and housed in a cloth-bound slipcase.
These are the hallmarks of a volume intended to last for generations.
Marc Burckhardt oversaw the design in its entirety — cover, layout, and illustration. His paintings, executed in egg tempera and oil glaze, reflect a classical discipline. “I create my work the old-fashioned way: pencil and paint,” he said. The technique suits Dante’s vision, translating the poem’s complex theology into measured, radiant imagery.
Speaking of the final release, Burckhardt described Paradiso as “a privilege to complete” and praised “the craft and precision Easton Press brought to the reproduction.”
The finished book feels closer to a museum piece than a publication — a work of art built to contain another work of art.
In a time when literature is often digital and disposable, this Paradiso restores a sense of permanence. It reminds readers that the story of humanity’s ascent from darkness to understanding deserves to be held, read, and kept.
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Features include:
Personally signed by artist Marc Burkhardt.
Limited to just 1,200 hand-numbered copies.
Fully bound in genuine leather.
22kt gold deeply inlaid on the "hubbed" spine.
Superbly printed on acid-neutral paper that lasts for generations.
Sewn pages — not just glued like ordinary books.
Handsome printed endpages and a satin-ribbon page marker.
Gilded page ends.
Printed and bound in the USA. Imported materials.
Custom-crafted clothbound slipcase.
Rigorous inspection at every stage ensures adherence to our exacting standards.
Superb craftsmanship and commitment to quality.
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Further Reading
