March 24, 2010
Rare First Edition, and interleaved copy, of ‘The Splendour of the Ancient City’
The Book:
Lauro, Giacomo. Antiquae urbis splendor, hoc est praecipua ejusdem templa, amphitheatra, theatra, circi … aliaque sumptuosiora aedificia … opera et industria Jacobi Lauri, … in aes incisa atque in lucem edita. Addita est brevis Pusedam … imaginum explicatio, in que regnum, consulum, imperatorumque res gestae et rei romanae origo, … ostenditur. Romae, 1612-1615. 3 Parts in 1 Vol. (A fourth part, devoted to modern Rome, was issued in 1628 with a reprint of the other parts). Oblong Folio, 30 x 23 cm., Contemporary gilt-ruled vellum, front board stiff with slight warping, partial separation of inner textblock form binding, 19th century spine label. 115 plates, not including title, dedications of the 3 parts, Portraits of Sigismund, King of Poland; Emmanuel, Duke of Savoy; and Ranuzio Farnese, Duke of Parma and Piacenza; [1 blank], [4], [4] [115] ff. Interleaved copy with 17th century French manuscript descriptive and explanatory notes, carefully hinged to page preceding each plate. Condition: Some slight browning and spotting, but overall a Very Good copy of the First Edition with the beautiful plates, still unnumbered (first state), in fine impressions.
One of the most influential and beautiful works on the monuments and antiquities of Ancient Rome, the ‘Antiquae urbis splendor’ (‘The splendour of the ancient city’) served as an important reference book and source of inspiration for many writers and artists, both Italian as well as those on the early Grand Tour. The interesting mid-17th century French interleaved notes present in the copy, could have been recorded ( for example only), by an resident Classicist artist in the circle of Nicolas Poussin for later use as a reference. Further research could make a more definitive attribution.
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