BARTOLI Pietro Santi (c.1635 - 1700) - Comte de CAYLUS ( publisher ) :
Reference : 41019
Paris, two works in one volume ( as published). [1]. Paris, no publisher ( Comte de Caylus ) , 1757 , in-folio, 512 x 332 mm , title with floral wood engraved vignette + 31 pp + 33 handcoloured engraved plates. [2] S.l. ( Paris) , 1760 , halftitle + (ii) pp + 36 pp + 1 double page coloured engraving + 1 full page uncoloured engraving (as published). Bound in contemporary full red morocco, edges gilt, paste down and matching fly leaves in light blue silk. Raised gilt spine. Binding with scratches and traces of use. Interior fine notwithstanding some small marginal stains and/or small tears in a few leaves. On the whole a fine copy of the first edition of this beautiful and rare book which was published in only 30 copies (Brunet vol. I 682). Cicognara 3598 and Berlin Kat. 3948 only list the second edition from 1783. The explanatory text is by P.J. Mariette. The drawings for the engravings were made very carefully by Bartoli from transparent lacquered paper copies made on the spot. The subjects were found in newly discovered Roman baths and temples, many unearthed under the impulse of Comte de Caylus who was also the financial promotor of this very expensive publishing enterprise. When the reduced plates were ready for publishing in Paris one went even back to Rome to make sure that the handcolouring was a perfect match with the original..