PIRANESI (Giambattista). Descrizione e disegno... Lot 21

PIRANESI (Giambattista). Descrizione e disegno dell'Emissario del lago Albano. [Roma, 1762]. - In-folio, 526 x 388: engraved title, 19 pp. 6 plates (of 9). Marbled calf, ornate spine, red edges (contemporary binding). Hind, p. 85. - Wilton-Ely, II, 613-624. - Focillon, 480-491. First edition of this fine work describing and depicting the hydraulic system installed by the ancient Romans at Lake Albano, south of Rome, in beautiful plates of technical plans and views. This copy includes a handsome engraved title, a vignette in the text, a cul-de-lampe and 6 of the 9 required plates. Missing plates V (large perspective view), VI (Tartaro dell' acqua) and IX (large interior view). The copy has been enriched with 3 plates: - Veduta della Spelonca, detta il Bergantino, presso l'imbocco d'ell Emissario del Lago Albano... [Focillon, 494]. This is the second plate of the appendix published the same year under the title Di due spelonche ornate dagli antichi alla riva del Lago Albano. - large folding plate (1100 x 360 mm) signed by Francesco CURTI (1603?-1670?), entitled Disegno, e misure dell' insigne, e famosa Torre dell' Illustrissima, e cospicua Citta' di Cremona. Bears date 1674. Tear not missing on left side, reinforcement on verso of plate. - Large folding plate by Piranesi (etching 550 x 730 mm) entitled Sepolcro Regio, o Consolare, inciso nella rupe del Monte Albano, constituting the third plate of the work Antichita d'Albano, e di Castel Gandolfo Descritte ed incise da Giovambatista Piranesi published in Rome in 1764. [Focillon, 511]. Restoration to verso. Rubbing and wear. Lower headband missing, part of the calf in the lower corner of the first cover detached.