Piranesi, Giovanni Battista

large folio (574 x 407mm.), etched title incorporating a dedication to Robert Adam, frontispiece, 2 etched and engraved head-pieces (to the Latin and Italian dedications to Robert Adam), 48 plates (numbered I-XXXXVIII, plates V-X joined to form a large folding plan of the Campus Martius), text in Latin and Italian, contemporary Roman mottled brown calf richly tooled in gold to a rococo design with curling leaf tools, fan-shaped tools, flowers, palmettes and fleurons, spines gilt in compartments, library label on front paste-down, front hinge cracked, scattered spotting and damp-staining, some tears along folds, mainly of the large plan, extremities lightly worn with loss to spine ends

BAL RIBA 2551

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"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."

The fine binding is almost identical to those found on other plate books on Rome; see the sale of the Franklin Kissner Collection of Books on Rome, Christie's, 3 October 1990, lot 447. For other similar bindings, on works by Ferrario and De' Rossi, see lot 148.