Details
HERCULANEUM. -- Le Antichità de Ercolano esposte. Naples: Regia Stamperia, 1755-1792.
9 volumes (including Ottavio Bayardi's Catalogo degli Antichi Monumenti... de Ercolano bound as vol.IX), 2° (472 x 350mm. [vol.I of Pitture] and 474 x 351mm). Half-titles, titles in red and black (excluding the Catalogo...) each with an engraved medallion portrait vignette. Engraved general title, portrait, one double-page map, 610 plates (1 double-page, 4 folding), 547 initials, 788 illustrations (including repeats). (Vol.I: small tear in lower margin of O2, light dampstaining to lower margins; vol.V: small tear to outer blank margins of e2 and f1, a few leaves with light old dampstaining; vol.VI: wormhole in title and following leaf.) 19th-century half russia gilt (vol.I non-uni1orm in contemporary italian mottled sheep), top compartment of each spine with stamped crest of the Ramsay family, by Carss & Co. of Glasgow (extremities scuffed). Provenance: (vols.II-IX) Professor William Ramsay (classical scholar, 1806-1865, bindings and armorial bookplate).
FIRST EDITION with an interesting provenance. This monumental work is the first attempt at a systematic description of the archaeological finds made at Herculaneum during the 18th century, and is the most important source for the development of neo-classical art. Both the finds and information concerning them was jealously guarded to the extent that these descriptive volumes were generally only presented as gifts by the king of the Two Sicilies to other members of European royalty. William Ramsay was elected professor of humanity at Glasgow university in 1831. A classical scholar, his publications included An Elementary Manual of Roman Antiquities (London & Glasgow, 1859). Vinet 1716; Blackmer 37 and 97; Cicognara 2645; Brunet I.314. (9)
9 volumes (including Ottavio Bayardi's Catalogo degli Antichi Monumenti... de Ercolano bound as vol.IX), 2° (472 x 350mm. [vol.I of Pitture] and 474 x 351mm). Half-titles, titles in red and black (excluding the Catalogo...) each with an engraved medallion portrait vignette. Engraved general title, portrait, one double-page map, 610 plates (1 double-page, 4 folding), 547 initials, 788 illustrations (including repeats). (Vol.I: small tear in lower margin of O2, light dampstaining to lower margins; vol.V: small tear to outer blank margins of e2 and f1, a few leaves with light old dampstaining; vol.VI: wormhole in title and following leaf.) 19th-century half russia gilt (vol.I non-uni1orm in contemporary italian mottled sheep), top compartment of each spine with stamped crest of the Ramsay family, by Carss & Co. of Glasgow (extremities scuffed). Provenance: (vols.II-IX) Professor William Ramsay (classical scholar, 1806-1865, bindings and armorial bookplate).
FIRST EDITION with an interesting provenance. This monumental work is the first attempt at a systematic description of the archaeological finds made at Herculaneum during the 18th century, and is the most important source for the development of neo-classical art. Both the finds and information concerning them was jealously guarded to the extent that these descriptive volumes were generally only presented as gifts by the king of the Two Sicilies to other members of European royalty. William Ramsay was elected professor of humanity at Glasgow university in 1831. A classical scholar, his publications included An Elementary Manual of Roman Antiquities (London & Glasgow, 1859). Vinet 1716; Blackmer 37 and 97; Cicognara 2645; Brunet I.314. (9)