Beschreibung:

HANCARVILLE, Pierre-François Hugues d' (1719-1805). Collection of Etruscan, Greek and Roman Antiquities ... Antiquités Etrusques, Grecques et Romaines Tirés du Cabinet de M. Hamilton. Envoyé extraordinaire et plénipotentiaire de S.M. Brittannique en Cour de Naples. Naples: François Morelli, 1766-1767. 4 volumes, 2° (458 x 356mm). English and French titles in each volume with contemporary colouring, 4 engraved frontispieces, 438 plates (365 full-page, 69 double-page and 4 folding) of which 183 are with contemporary colouring, and 72 engraved vignettes and initials. (Some occasional slight spotting, English title-page to vols. III-IV creased.) Contemporary French red morocco with the supralibros of the 'House of Commons Library' on covers, spines gilt, gilt edges, (spines and edges restored, spines darkened, some overall wear). Provenance : London, House of Commons Library (binding, bookplate in each volume and unobtrusive release stamp on front fly-leaves). FIRST EDITION. Printed in only 500 copies, this sumptuous work describes the collection of antique vases assembled by Lord William Hamilton (1730-1803) during his stay in Italy as envoy to the British Embassy at Naples. Hugues d'Hancarville, an amateur art dealer, introduced Hamilton to the Porcinari family, who owned a large collection of ancient classical vases. Hamilton bought this collection and added several more items before selling it in 1772 to the British Museum. Before shipping them to England, all the objects were listed, drawn and described, and Hugues d'Hancarville supervised this elaborate publication. The texts of the first two volumes are in English and French, while the two remaining volumes are in French only. The vignettes and initials are finely engraved by Lamberti and Pignatari after drawings by Beaulieu, Bracci, Cardon, Nolli and Tierce. Blackmer 845; Cohen-de Ricci 474 (lists 520 engravings only); Berlin Kat. 890. (4)