DESCRIPTION DES BEAUTES DE GENES

(GUIDE-GENOA)  BRUSCO, Giacomo.  DESCRIPTION DES BEAUTES DE GENES ET DE SES ENVIRONS ORNEE DE DIFFERENTES VUES DE TAILLES DOUCE, ET DE LA CARTE TOPOGRAPHIQUE DE LA VILLE.                                                                              

Genoa: Yves Gravier, 1781. 8vo. Contemporary cats paw full-calf. Engraved title leaf, 142, (1) pages, 20 engraved plates, of which 16 folding (including 2 maps). [O'Neal, 14; Sowerby, # 3910].

First printed in 1768, this popular guide book of Genoa went through several editions in the eighteenth century.  The 1781 edition is significantly enlarged in text and number of plates over the first edition.  Jefferson, in his tour of travels from Paris into southern France went as far as Genoa (his only stop in Italy) where he acquired the 1781 edition, and he noted in his journal several references to the various palaces, villas and other major sites in Genoa found in the guide book.  He sold his copy to the Library of Congress in 1815.  Twelve of the plates are surprisingly vigorous views of Genoa engraved by Guidotti.  The remaining plates illustrate popular local antiquities, and three Genoese costumes as well as the two detailed maps cited above.  Tip of spine professionally repaired, else very good.

 

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