Lot 818: DELLE ANTICHE STATUE GRECHE E ROMANE, CHE NELL'ANTISALA DELLA LIBRERIA DI SAN MARCO, E IN ALTRI LUOGHI PUBBLICI DI VENEZIA SI TROVANO.

2 vol., folio: front.-[7]-50-[2], [3]-50-[1] ff.; 97 (of 101) pl. (pl. 15, 27 & 41 + the text ff. in vol. I missing, pl. 19 in vol. II also missing; some soiling, mostly marginal, a few spots to ff. [2-3] in vol. I, occ. pl. or ff. sl. age-toned, marg. tear to last f. of vol. I strengthened, sm. tear in lower margin of pl. I of vol. II, marg. tear to pl. VI of vol. II strengthened, pl. XVII loosening in vol. II, sm. hole in between two lines of f. 48 repaired in vol. II). - Rare first edition and first issue of the 96 nice copper-engraved plates after Antonio Maria Zanetti the younger and his elder cousin Antonio Maria Zanetti, figuring ancient Greek and Roman statues and some bas-reliefs in the Marcian library and in public Venetian collections. Also illustrated with a frontispiece, the portrait of King Christian VI of Denmark, medals and tailpieces. Descriptive text within a decorative frame by Anton Francesco Gori. Work published by Giovanni Battista Albrizzi according to the Italian National Library catalogue. Zanetti the younger (1706-1778) was the Librarian of the Marcian library, his cousin (1680-1767) was a Venetian connoisseur, collector of engraved gems. Titles in red & black with identical vignette. - Ref. Berlin Kat. 4208. - Cicognara 3565 ("Opera pregievolissima").

1740-1743

Contemp. Italian marbled sheep, covers ruled with gilt roll-stamps orn. with a central medallion and angular flower tools, gilt orn. spines with raised bands, a.e.g. (strongly rubbed).