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Azzurro, Published 1983. Paperback, 109, [62] pp. plus 9 unnumbered leaves of plates; 25 cm; text in Italian; illustrated with color photographs, costume drawings and reproductions of historical art. Conceived by Elvira Gramano, with a preface by Sergio Trasatti; graphic design by Pier Giorgio Maoloni; printed by Co.gra.fo., Foligno, November 1983.
In Good condition. Dark brown covers with French flaps, white lettering; Gramano bridal drawing in a silver diamond frame on front cover, color photograph of Vittoria Gervaso as Cleopatra on rear cover; nicks and mild shelf wear along edges and spine with some color loss along edges, small chips to the surface layer of the paper on front cover (at left point of the diamond frame and along left edge) and along left edge of rear cover. Front flap printed with Gramano's biography and portrait photograph; inside rear flap, an oval label with the same gown motif as the endpapers. Binding tight. Pink endpapers printed with a bride motif. Inscribed and signed in black ink by Elvira Gramano on front free endpaper, dated 28-3-84. Pages lightly toned, a few scattered small spots, otherwise unmarked. Illustrated tribute to La Sposa del Tevere, the bridal pageant Elvira Gramano staged on the Tiber beginning in 1978, in which five famous women of Roman history were symbolically wed to the river. Roberto Gervaso (1937-2020), the journalist and popular historian who co-wrote the Storia d'Italia with Indro Montanelli and twice won the Premio Bancarella, contributes essays on Cleopatra, the Empress Helena, Theodora, Vittoria Colonna and Christina of Sweden. Gramano's essay on historical bridal dress and a long interview with her follow. Plates pair period art with Gramano's costume drawings and color photographs of the gowns, worn by Vittoria Gervaso in all five roles and by Lucrezia Lante della Rovere, ballerina Alessandra Ferri and others, with fashion photography by Roberto Granata, Aldo Fallai, Alberta Tiburzi and others. Gramano, born in Abruzzo, made her first wedding dress from parachute silk and opened a Rome atelier that became widely known for its bridal gowns; her designs were shown in China in 1981 and in Los Angeles during the 1984 Olympics. Contents: La sposa di Roma (Cleopatra; Elena; Teodora; Vittoria Colonna; Cristina di Svezia); Un solo volto per cinque donne; Un occhio al passato; Con venti chili di mandorle amare (intervista a Elvira Gramano).