Memorie istoriografiche de' Regni della Morea, Negroponte e littorali fin'a Salonichi...
Venice: Si vende alla Libraria del Colosso sul Ponte di Rialto, [1686]. The first octavo edition of Coronelli's important work on Greece, published during the war between Venice and the Ottoman Empire in which Venice was to ultimately prevail and conquer the Morea territory of southern Greece. This book can therefore be viewed as part propaganda celebrating the Venetian cause and part guide to the newly conquered territories. A folio edition of the work was published the same year and therefore Coronelli refers to the octavo edition as the 'second edition'. Contominas states that all the engravings from the folio edition are included here, but have been re-engraved to fit the smaller format. Although the collation of the double-page plates seems to vary, the most complete edition that I located includes an engraved title and 43 double-page plates. Our copy also includes 43 double-page plates in addition to a half-title and an engraved title-page, and therefore appears to be complete. Although this edition was influential in informing the European readership about Greece, it does not appear in the bibliography of Atabey or Blackmer. 8vo (16.5 x 11.5cm), half-title, engraved title, [x], 237pp. & 43 double-page plates (maps, plans, views, etc.). A few occasional spots; light damp-staining to a few leaves. Due to the nature of the smaller octavo format double-page plates the inner hinges tend to obscure the middle part of the plates. Rebound in modern calf.. Item #25
Price: $950.00