HANCARVILLE | Veneres uti observantur in gemmis antiquis, 1771

HANCARVILLE, PIERRE-FRANÇOIS HUGUES DIT D'
Veneres uti observantur in gemmis antiquis. "Lugd. Batavorum" [i.e. Naples, 1771]

2 volumes in one, 8vo, 2 engraved title-pages, 64 engraved plates, with FINE CONTEMPORARY HAND-COLOURING, each plate with corresponding engraved description in French printed in red, with 10pp. engraved preface printed in red within a decorative black border, later half morocco over marbled boards, marbled endpapers, occasional light spotting, upper hinge splitting

RARE FIRST EDITION OF HANCARVILLE'S CLASSICAL EROTICA.
Hancarville was an art historian and amateur art dealer who was commissioned by the British ambassador to Naples, Sir William Hamilton, to produce a catalogue of his collection of antiquities.
It is unclear how many plates this work should contain, as each copy seems to have a varying number.

LITERATURE:
Cohen-De Ricci 475

Condition Report:
Occasional light spotting, upper hinge splitting