L13405

/

Lot 158
  • 158

Mariti, Giovanni

Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed

Description

  • Mariti, Giovanni
  • Viaggi per l'isola di Cipro e per la Soria e Palestina. [Lucca (vol.1) and Florence (vol.2-9)], 1769-1776
  • paper
First edition, 9 volumes, 8vo (195 x 122mm.), engraved titles printed in grey/green, one hand-coloured folding plate (in vol.2), 2 plates of coat-of-arms (in vol.5 and 8), errata leaf at end of vol.8 and 9, "Adi 24 Maggio 1769" leaf at end of vol.2, 4pp. "Avviso ai lettori" at beginning of vol.4, contemporary half calf, occasional spotting or browning (particularly in vol.1), binding slightly worn

Provenance

Edward Gibbon, printed book label "E. Gibbon", author of The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

Literature

Atabey 769-771 (later abridged editions in other languages); Blackmer 1079 (abridged French edition only); Cobham-Jeffery p.37 (described as 5 volumes only); Weber II 542

Condition

the condition of this lot is as described in the catalogue description
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

Rare, and with a fine provenance. Only one complete set of the first edition of this important work is recorded at auction on Americana Exchange and American Book Prices Current in almost 40 years - Sotheby's, March 23, 1999, lot 164 - and this edition was not present in the Blackmer or Atabey collections. Abridged editions of this work appeared in German (1777), French (1791) and English (1791-92).

"Mariti spent 7 years in Cyprus, at Larnaca, where Turner, the British consul who also represented Tuscany, placed him in charge of various interests, with the title of vice-consul. Mariti spoke both Turkish and Arabic very well. He returned to Italy after 8 years in the Levant (1760-1768)" (Blackmer).