GUATTANI, Giuseppe Antonio (1748--1830)
Monumenti antichi inediti ovvero notizie sulle antichità e belle arti di Roma per l'anno MDCCLXXXIV (-MDCCLXXXIX). ...
Roma:, nella stamperia Pagliarini,, 1784--89.
6 vols ; 25.2 cm. (4º)
I: [2], VIII, CIV p., etch. frontis., etch. port., [36] pl. (1 fold.): ill. (wdcut); Pp.XXXV--XLII misnumbered XXVII--XXXIV.;
II: VIII, CI, [1] p., etch. frontis., etch. port., [37] pl. (6 fold.);
III: IV, XCIX, [1] p., [2] etch. frontis., add. etch. t.-pl., [36] pl.
IV: IV, XCV, [1] p., etch. frontis., [35] pl. (6 fold.)
V: IV, XCVI p., etch. frontis., [36] pl. (15 fold.)
VI: IV, XCVI p., etch. frontis., [33] pl. (4 fold.)

Notionally published monthly. The text and plates in each volume are arranged as monthly instalments describing excavations carried out in or around Rome. The first two volumes each have a portrait plate of the dedicatee (Pius VI and Pietro di Curlandia respectively), and his arms ornament the title-page; only these dedications are signed by Guattani. Each month generally three plates illustrating ancient Roman architecture and sculpture. As publication progressed the issuing of the plates fell behind that of the text, and the plates for November and December 1789 are sometimes missing as a result. The exceptions are as follows: there were four plates for May 1786 (numbered I--IV); two plates for December 1787 (numbered I--III with I and II printed from one copper); five plates for January 1789 (numbered I--VI with IV and V printed from one copper); no plates for February 1789; two plates for March 1789 (numbered I--III with I and II printed from one copper); and two plates for November 1789 (numbered I--III with I and II printed from one copper). The additional engraved title-plate was reprinted for each volume, the year in Fame's banner being apparently altered successively from '1784' to '1785', '1786' and '1787'. In the Soane set however, except in the case of vol. [I], these variant states of the title-plate are incorrectly matched to their respective volumes. A seventh volume was issued in 1805. BAL, Early printed books, no. 4190.

Copy Notes Imperfect; tom. [V] wanting pl. III for February 1788 and tom. [VI] pl. III for April 1789. Bound as three volumes. Purchased from Josiah Taylor for 5 guineas on 19 February 1807. (Spiers Box. Taylor, Priestley & Weale). 3 vols 5.5.0 inscribed in pencil on front pastedown to volumes I--II.

Binding C18th mottled calf, sprinkled in three colours, gilt-ruled borders, gilt-tooled spine compartments with star-in-sunburst centrepiece, short title on red leather label and volume statement on green.

Reference Number 2395

Additional Names Josiah Taylor