[ARALDICA] - LITTA, Pompeo (1781-1852) - Famiglie Celebri Italiane. Milan: Paolo Emilio Giusti, [s.d., ma 1819-1883].   Probably the most complete copy ever to appear at auction of the famous work by Litta dedicated to 150 families in 184 "dispense", with numerous engraved plates, many of which in contemporary handcolouring. The volumes are presented in an elegant contemporary binding by the Binda Brothers and this magnificent and renowned work represents a fundamental historical-genealogical documentation as well as one of the major and most original contributions to 19th-century national historiography. It was begun by Pompeo Litta in 1819 but, interrupted with the death of the illustrious writer in 1852, it was then resumed three years later and continued, always with his name, by those who had been his collaborators, Luigi Passerini Orsini de' Rilli, Federico Odorici, Federico Stefani, Francesco di Mauro di Polvica and Costantino Coda, until 1883.   16 volumes, folio (465 x 346mm). Titles to the first 15 volumes, but not to vol. 16, engraved and coloured coats of arms, numerous full-page engraved plates and illustrations, many of which expertly handcoloured which include city views, landscapes, monuments, coins, medals and geographical maps. It was not possible to provide an exact count of the plates as in various repertoires the double page ones are sometimes counted as single and vice versa, but a clear indication of how to verify the exact number has not been found (volumes 11 and 15 with the bottom corner damaged, some occasional foxing). Elegant contemporary boards, marbled orange up to volume 12 and then streaked red from volume 13, with calf spines decorated in gilt by the Binda Brothers (the first volume with the lower part of the spine damaged, vols 11 and 15 with the lower corner damaged, the others with minimal rubbing). For a detailed list of the contents of the work, please contact the department. (16)

Estimate € 3,000 - 5,000

Sold € 6,000