BIANCONI. Descrizione dei circhi particolarmente di quello di Caracalla e dei giuochi in essi celebrati.

First edition of this work by the antiquarian Bianconi (1717–1781), mentor to Johann Joachim Winckelmann, who conceived the ambitious project of describing all the monuments along the Via Appia, but died before he could achieve his goal, leaving behind only the section concerning the circuses. It was published posthumously under the supervision of the archaeologist Carlo Fea, who added the notes, in collaboration with the architect Angelo Uggieri, the engraver of the plates. The plates are the work of Delena, Bossi, Uggieri, Feoli, Barbazza, Legnani and Garattoni.

Cicognara: ''opera accreditata e piena di dottrina''.

Cicognara 3619; Brunet 1, 848; Olschki 16463; Kissner 579; Rossetti 1094; Borroni 8196; Fossati Bellani 1042.

Folio; 445x310 mm. Quarter vellum binding with marbled cardboard. Gilt title on label on the spine. Pp. XXI, CXXX, 1 leaf of imprimatur and 20 plates at the end. Text in two columns in Italian and French. Minor flaws to the binding, slight foxing and a few water stains. A fine copy.