[ROME] Fea, Carlo: New description of Ancient and Modern Rome. 3 volumes. Angiolo Bonelli & Cristino Puccinelli, Rome 1820

3 volumes. Format in-12°, mm. 180x105, pp. (6), XIV, 264, (2) + 4 cc. of plates / (2), VI, 265-502, (2) + 17 cc. of plates / VI, 505-726, (2) + 10 cc. of plates. Complete. Contemporary hardback. Titles on tags applied to the spine (faded). Edges of the cards trimmed. Small losses and defects on the spines, hinges partially worn. Some plates with light water stain on the external margin. Clean cards with clear text, rare foxing.

New description of ancient and modern Rome and its surroundings... Compiled for the use of travellers By Mr. Avv.D. Carlo Fea ... and published by Angiolo Bonelli. Rome, from the presses of Crispino Puccinelli, 1820. Old edition printed in Rome in 1820 by Angiolo Bonelli, work of the Italian archaeologist Carlo Fea (1753-1836), complete in 3 volumes. Guide to Rome with 31 total plates engraved outside the text depicting the most famous monuments (Colosseum, Piazza del Popolo, Pantheon and others). Carlo Fea, originally from Buggio, a hamlet of Pigna (IM), graduated in law at the Sapienza, fascinated by archaeology: in order to obtain better opportunities for his research, he took holy orders in 1798; in his writings, however, he never described himself as an abbot, but always as a lawyer. He was responsible for rationalising legislation on trade in antiquities and archaeological excavations, and undertook excavation work at the Pantheon and the Roman Forum.