Splendor Magnificentissimae Urbis Venetiarum Clarissimus;

£30,000 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

A rare and lavishly illustrated work devoted entirely to the city of Venice, issued as part of the monumental Thesaurus antiquitatum et historiarum Italiae. The impressive views, including both the magnificent folding panorama and folding plan of the city after Blaeu, reproduce not only the art and architecture of Venice but also the festivities, such as carnival, public boxing, canal regattas, bullfighting, and fireworks. Published by Pieter van der Aa (1659-1733), a famous Dutch publisher of maps and atlases active in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The present work contains 115 double-page engravings, some after the most famous artists of the time including Carlevarijs and Canaletto. 2 parts in one vol., folio (45 x 29 cm); half-titles, titles printed in red and black with engraved vignettes, large folding bird's-eye view of Venice and large folding plan (both after Blaeu), a further 115 double-page engraved plates, captioned in Italian, Latin and French, light spotting and toning, predominantly to text leaves, occasionally affecting plate margins (particularly in part II), but generally plates clean and fresh; 1830's half brown morocco over marbled boards, spine with 5 raised bands, gilt-ruled in compartments, gilt lettering to second compartment, some rubbing to boards and extremities, else a very good copy. Graesse VI, 472.

• Binding: Hardcover

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