Oblong folio of (1) title-page and 24 engravings. Bound towards 1900 in red quarter -roan, spine ribbed and decorated.
328 x 452 mm
Exceedingly rare first edition of this suite dedicated to games and entertainments in Tuscany in the 18th century.
It is composed of a frontispiece and 24 prints engraved and contemporary watercoloured by Giuseppe Piattoli entitled: La Berlina, Il Beccalaglio, La Pentolaccia, L’Altalena, Il Pallone, Le Pallottole, Il Guancialin d’oro, Bicci calla calla, Capo a nascondersi, Il Saccomazzone, La Trottola, Il Cappelletto, Madonna Fuscellina, Il Ceppo, Il Ballo, Le Befane, Le Chiavi, Il Berlingaccio, Le Rificolone, I Birilli, Trucco a terra, La Civetta, L’Infilalago and La Lotta.
It is extremely rare to find this suite complete. It is of the utmost interest both for the history of games and entertainments and for the history of costumes or interior design. The artist paid particular attention to represent every game scene with great realism, depicting in details the set of furniture of the Tuscan interiors and the architecture of the premises.
According to our researches, among all the public libraries, only the Library of Congress would own a copy of this work.
A precious and exceedingly rare suite illustrating the entertainments in Tuscany in the 18th century, entirely contemporary watercoloured in vivid and shimmering shades.
