NICCOLINI, Fausto (c.1812-1886), NICCOLINI, Felice (c.1816-1886). Le case ed i monumenti di Pompeii disegnati e Descritti. Naples: [A. Niccolini,] 1854-1896.

"One of the most exhaustive publications of the 19th century" on Pompeii (Ciapparelli). The idea for this book project likely originated with Fausto and Felice Niccolini's father, a renowned Neapolitan architect and set designer as well as ardent antiquarian. Their ambitious visual record of the houses and monuments on Pompeii was issued in parts of three plates and two text pages over the course of several years. It covers everything from large-scale architecture to the small objects of daily life, "aimed at uniting knowledge from diverse disciplines in order to re-create an image of a complete Pompeian House" (Ciapparelli). The two brothers died in the course of its publication, and the final volumes were seen through the press by Antonio Niccolini, a grandson. Not in Berlin; see Blackmer sale 1361 for a later epitome. Pier Luigi Ciapparelli, "The Editorial Adventures of the Niccolini Brothers," in Houses and Monuments of Pompeii: The Works of Fausto and Felice Niccolini (2002).

Four volumes, folio (620 x 412mm). 416 lithographic plates, many in color, some with Niccolini blindstamp in margin, each with printed tissue guard (some spotting and toning, small repairs around edges of some leaves; a little light dampstaining in vol 2, a few tissue guards adhered to plate in vol 4). Modern half calf. Provenance: Forbes Library, Northampton, MA (perforated stamps throughout, ink stamp on reverse of plates).