Europe, Italy, Rome, ca. 1691. Wow! A rare first edition copy of "Le Antiche Lucerne Sepolcrali Figurate" (The Ancient Figural Sepulchral Lamps), illustrated by Pietro Santi Bartoli with commentary by Giovanni Pietro Bellori and printed on laid paper. Published in Rome by Giovanni Francesco Buagni, this exceptional codex describes the oil lamps found throughout the tombs of ancient Rome in 302 pages and is illustrated with 116 fine copper engraved plates and 3 engraved sectional tiles. The gorgeous binding is from 1772 and decorated with mottled hues of chocolate brown and caramel with gorgeous gilded embellishments on the spine and lovely printed floral motifs on both the back and front covers. Size: 9.25" W x 13" H (23.5 cm x 33 cm)

Provenance: ex-Quinn collection, Los Angeles, California, USA

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#161291

Spine is from 1772. Last three pages have been restored (none have been printed on), all showing horizontal chain lines and one with a watermark from 1984. Two other watermarks can be found throughout the book: one of a crown, a six-pointed star, and the letters V and C in a circle and the other of a paschal lamb (lamb of god) holding two flags in a circle. Expected light wrinkles and staining to pages commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with impressive quality of prints.