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Four volumes folio (53 x 40.5 cm). Vol. I: pp. iv ('Prefazione' and 'Imprimatur' leaf dated '25 Gennaro 1756' with list of Piranesi's publications verso), pp.(iv) Avviso al publico. 25 Augusto 1756. pp.(ii) Milord. Febbraio 1757.pp.40, pp. xi ('Spiegazione' and 'Osservazioni'), pp.iii ('Indice, O Sia Spiegazione'), pp.iv ('Indice'), pp.iii ('Indice'), pp.(ii) ('Repertorio'). Engraved frontispiece portrait of Piranesi by Polanzani, printed title, engraved double-page dedication plate with text 'Utilitati Publicae' (second state after the removal of 'Lord Charlemont'), Piranesi's text and 44 engraved plates plus 1 map, of which 5 are double-page, 1 large folding plate on two sheets, 2 folding plates on 1 sheet and 30 single page plates with two images;
Vol. II: engraved title, engraved double-page frontispiece and engraved list of subjects and 60 engraved plates, numbered I - LXIII (including title, frontispiece and list of subjects), of which 44 are double-page and one large double-page folding plate on 2 sheets;
Vol. III: engraved title and engraved double-page frontispiece and 52 plates, numbered I - LIV (including title and frontispiece), of which 42 are double-page and one large double-page folding plate on 2 sheets (four plates are by Girolamo Rossi and one by an anonymous artist);
Vol. IV: engraved title, engraved double-page frontispiece and engraved list of subjects and 57 plates.
Sheet size (double-page): c.725 x 520 mm (or the reverse). Watermarks examined include the shiled with sword and fleur-de-lys (Robison 61), a fleur-de-lys with initials (Robison 20 / 21), a fleur-de-lys within a single circle (Robison 18 / 19) however the majority of those present appear to be the fleur-de-lys within a double circle (Robison 33 / 35).
Full contemporary polished calf, rebacked, boards with triple-ruled borders and floral corner pieces in gilt, banded spines with gilt tooling and black leather label with gilt title in nine compartments, turn-ins tooled in gilt, marbled endpapers and edges. Repairs to edges and corners. An excellent example.£85,000 -
Four works in one volume, large folio (53 x 39.5 cm). Opere varie: title printed in red and black with engraved vignette (Robison's second issue), Prima Parte, second edition, second issue, engraved frontispiece, and 16 plates, complete; 10 plates on 5 sheets from the Opere Varie [Wilton-Ely 45-50]; Two single plates: Pianta di ampio magnifico Collegio: A single plate, third state (of seven). [Robison 25] & Parte di ampio magnifico Porto: A single plate, fourth state (of eight). [Robison 26]. These 2 plates are here unnumbered, for later versions of the 1761 issue these plates have numbers added. (see Hind pg. 81); Grotteschi: 4 plates. Second or third states, [Robison 21 - 24]. Carceri: Second edition, second Issue. double-page engraved title, and 15 double-page plates (numbered II-XVI). Trofei di Ottaviano Augusto. First edition. Rome: G.G. Salmoni, 1753, title printed in red and black with engraved vignette, and 8 (of 9) unnumbered plates, 4 double-page, lacking one plate (the view of the Castello), title spotted. Antichita Romane de' Tempi della Republica. First edition, (1748), 30 engraved plates (including 2 titles, dedication, and 2 plates of inscriptions), eighteenth-century half calf, marbled boards, neat repairs to joints and extremities, a very handsome collection.
£125,000 -
Two works in two volumes, folio (550 x 400 mm. approx'); Vedute: the complete suite as listed by Wilton-Ely comprising double-page engraved title, double-page engraved frontispiece, 135 double-page engraved plates (including the 2 plates by Francesco Piranesi listed at the end of Wilton-Ely), the watermarks examined appear to conform to Robison 39, 57, 64 and 67; plate 243 [Wilton-Ely] with paper flaw to the centre fold lower margin, not affecting image; Pompei: the complete suite comprising a double-page engraved plate, a large folding plate and a 6-sheet plan, each sheet large and folding (3 with short marginal tear, repaired, 2 touching text); Extra-illustrated with the following plates: Pianta di Roma e del Campo Marzio [Wilton-Ely 1008]; Prospetto interiore del Tempio Vaticano Il Santo Padre ... Vaticano, both of these by Francesco Piranesi; Near contemporary Russia gilt, the covers with broad gilt borders, neatly rebacked, all edges gilt.
A list giving the order of the engravings can be supplied on request.£200,000
