ADAM, Robert (1728-1792). Ruins of the Palace of the Emperor Diocletian at Spalatro in Dalmatia. [London]: for the author, 1764.

First edition of a magnificent architectural record of Diocletian’s Palace. Adam's work, with its elaborately engraved views, was the outcome of his visit to Spalatro (Split) during his Grand Tour and was intended to emulate the success of Robert Wood's The Ruins of Palmyra (1763). In Florence, he had met the architect Charles-Louis Clerisseau (1721-1820), who was to be Adam's instructor for the next two years and who was to supervise much of the engraving for the book in Venice and London. The engravings were probably based on drawings by Clerisseau (six of which are preserved in the Hermitage Museum), and were said by the Critical Review in October 1764 to possess ‘a taste and execution that has never been equalled in this country.’ Berlin Katalog 1893; Cicognara 3567: ‘opera magnifica e grandiosa’; Fowler 2; Harrison pp. 76-81; Millard II, 1; RIBA 27.

Folio (526 x 370mm). 61 numbered engraved plates after C.-L. Clérisseau on 54 leaves, including frontispiece, the majority by F. Bartolozzi and F. Zucchi, several double-page or folding (occasional spotting and faint waterstains, a few plates just trimmed into platemark). Contemporary russia, sides with gilt borders, edges gilt (rebacked to style).

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