Fine Books & Manuscripts

[FOUNTAINS] FALDA, Giovanni Battista (1643–1678). Le fontane di Roma nelle piazze, e luoghi publici della città, con li loro prospetti, come sono al presente. Roma: Giovanni Giacomo de Rossi, [ca. 1670–78]. Four parts in one. Oblong folio. FIRST EDITION. The date of the privilege of 1691 was added later to the title plate in part one (see TIB), and the series must have been made before Falda’s death in 1678. Includes 31 (of 33) engraved plates in part one. Other titles include Le fontane delle ville di Frascati nel tusculano, con li loro prospetti; with 17 (of 18) engraved plates; Le fontane ne palazzi e ne Giardini di Roma con li loro prospetty et ornamenti; with 27 (of 28) engraved plates; and Le fontane del giardino estense in Tivoli con li loro prospettie vedute della cascata… with 25 (of 28) engraved plates (plate 21 of part 4 trimmed at upper margin). 100 (of 107) total engraved plates, few folding, (including titles and frontispieces) of the Roman public fountains that were designed by the most famous architects of the time including Michelangelo, Maderno, Domenico Fontana, Giovanni Fontana, Giacomo della Porta, Berrettini, and Bernini. All four parts bound in later full calf (laid down) and rebacked with modern brown morocco, raised bands, upper compartment titled in gilt, marbled endpapers (pale spotting to margins). RARE. TIB 4725.005–.037 (The Illustrated Bartsch). This is the first set in an early album that contains all four of Rossi's series of plates of fountains in fine impressions. The first two parts are of Rome and Frascati by Falda; the third and fourth are of Rome and Tivoli by Venturini.