Rossini, Luigi.

first edition, large oblong folio (535 x 750mm.), half title, 8pp. letterpress preliminaries (including list of plates), etched title, 72 plates and plans, contemporary half vellum gilt over marbled boards, flat spine gilt, preliminary blank torn without loss, half-title creased, corners bumped

George Frederick Nott (1767–1841), Church of England clergyman and literary editor (inscription on preliminary blank). "In his parishes he repaired rectories and built new schoolhouses, but this enthusiasm for architecture later led to his (literal) downfall. As prebendary of Winchester he superintended repairs to the cathedral, and on 6 January 1817, while thus engaged, he fell a distance of some 30 feet, injuring his head. Apparently he never fully recovered from this accident, subsequently spending much time in Italy in a manner reminiscent of Dr Stanhope in Barchester Towers. Here he acquired many paintings from contemporary artists in Rome, and found himself in the midst of a minor scandal in Pisa. The sale of his library, comprising 12,500 volumes, and many prints and pictures, took place at Winchester in January 1842." (ODNB)

RIBA 2847; Berlin Kat. 1917; Rossetti 8932

''Rossini (1790-1857) was born in Ravenna, but travelled to Bologna, where he was taken on as an assistant by Antonio Basoli at the age of 18. In 1814 Rossini moved to Rome, where he remained for the rest of his life. He had studied architecture, but financial necessity made him change his career to become a professional etcher. In this Rossini made a conscious effort to imitate Piranesi, whom he thought the greatest exponent of the art.'' (RIBA)