The Entry into War

CALVINO, Italo. L'entrata in guerra. Turin: Giulio Einaudi editore, 1954. First edition, number 27 of the prestigious 'I Gettoni' series directed by Elio Vittorini. 16mo, grey-blue publisher's wrappers with title printed in red and black, Einaudi publisher's colophon on front cover. Uncut pages (deckle edges). COPY WITH AUTHOR'S AUTOGRAPH INSCRIPTION on the front endpaper: 'to Milena / Calvino / June 54', addressed in all probability to Milena Milani, writer and Italian artist, prominent figure in the Italian cultural milieu of the post-war period. The date of the inscription coincides with the month of publication of the volume, attesting to a contemporary presentation copy. Wear to edges and corners, scattered foxing, overall in good condition. Collection of three autobiographical stories — 'The Entry into War', 'The Avant-gardists at Menton', 'The Nights of the UNPA' — set in the summer of 1940, among the most intense works of Calvino's production. Significant document for the history of Einaudi publishing and for the author's biography.