208
PIRANESI, Giovanni Battista (1720-1778). Le antichitá romane. Rome: Rotili, venduto da Bouchard, 1756.
Considered Piranesi's most important work, the Antichitá Romane required eight years of study and rendered its author the leading eighteenth-century interpreter of Roman archaeology. The first volume is devoted to the urban planning of ancient Rome and the description of public buildings including walls and aqueducts. The second and third volumes describe sepulchres and funerary structures, while the fourth is dedicated to the most important works of Roman engineering, such as Hadrian's Mausoleum, the Curia Hostilia, and the Theatre of Marcellus. Particularly famous and representative of the artist's style are the double-page engraved titles of the second and third volumes, with imaginary scenes crowded with ancient monuments.
4 volumes, folio, (563 x 430mm). Portrait of the author, 216 (of 218) engraved plates. Nineteenth-century binding in half vellum with title- and numbering-pieces (vol. 3 rebacked, preserving labels. Detailed description: Vol I: Piranesi's portrait to frontispiece, engraved index, 43 plates including the engraved title-page, numbered (of 44, XXXVII is missing) plates with very good inking, uncut text leaves (dampstaining affecting the lower margin and the upper right corner of the central plates without touching the engraved portion, a few plates slightly foxed). Vol II: Engraved table of contents, 63 numbered plates with very good inking (light dampstain to lower inner margin not touching the impression, dampstain to upper outer margin extending from plate 30 and touching the outer margin of the impression of leaves 36-39, 43, 47, 57, plate 22 browned). Vol III: 54 numbered engraved plates (dampstaining to the outer margins touching the impression, from plate XLI retracted, some marginal mildew staining). Vol IV: 57 numbered plates (missing plate XIV replaced with a double of XLV, dampstaining to lower inner margin, and to outer margin for leaves 54-57).
4 volumes, folio, (563 x 430mm). Portrait of the author, 216 (of 218) engraved plates. Nineteenth-century binding in half vellum with title- and numbering-pieces (vol. 3 rebacked, preserving labels. Detailed description: Vol I: Piranesi's portrait to frontispiece, engraved index, 43 plates including the engraved title-page, numbered (of 44, XXXVII is missing) plates with very good inking, uncut text leaves (dampstaining affecting the lower margin and the upper right corner of the central plates without touching the engraved portion, a few plates slightly foxed). Vol II: Engraved table of contents, 63 numbered plates with very good inking (light dampstain to lower inner margin not touching the impression, dampstain to upper outer margin extending from plate 30 and touching the outer margin of the impression of leaves 36-39, 43, 47, 57, plate 22 browned). Vol III: 54 numbered engraved plates (dampstaining to the outer margins touching the impression, from plate XLI retracted, some marginal mildew staining). Vol IV: 57 numbered plates (missing plate XIV replaced with a double of XLV, dampstaining to lower inner margin, and to outer margin for leaves 54-57).
ESTIMATE € 20.000 - 30.000
LOTS
2
[ALMANACS - PARIS]. Le petit theatre de l'univers. Paris: Langlois, 1804; 1809.
[ALMANACS - PARIS]. Le petit theatre de l'univers. Paris: Langlois, 1804; 1809.
ESTIMATE € 200 - 300
7
[ALMANACS]. Almanacco toscano per l'anno 1858. Florence: Stamperia Granducale, 1858.
[ALMANACS]. Almanacco toscano per l'anno 1858. Florence: Stamperia Granducale, 1858.
ESTIMATE € 100 - 200