[Italy]. VASCELLINI (Gaetano). Raccolta dei Disegni delle Fa - Lot 100

[Italy]. VASCELLINI (Gaetano). Raccolta dei Disegni delle Fabbriche regie de'Bagni di Montecatini nella Valdinievole. Firenze, s.n., 1787. Large folio (58.5 x 40.6 cm), [4] f., 15 plates, bound in marbled fawn half-basin with corners, spine ribbed and decorated, gilt title (binding rubbed, small worm gallery on spine and first two leaves, slight soiling to title, slight wetness in upper margin of some plates). First edition. The first and only edition of this elegant publication celebrating the new thermal baths at Montecatini Terme, near Pistoia. Exceptional illustrated work on the ancient spa town of Montecatini, west of Florence, and its new buildings, designed by neoclassical architect and sculptor Niccolo Gasparo Paoletti (1727-1813) on the initiative of Tuscan Grand Duke Peter Leopold between 1774 and 1778. The book opens with an engraved title-frontispiece depicting a coat of arms on an architectural balustrade, with Montecatini in the background. This is followed by a general site plan and 14 plates illustrating the new complex, including cross-sections, facades, interiors, details of the technical network and lead pipes leading to the various rooms of the establishment. The title page and general view were designed by Antonio Terreni. The architectural drawings that follow are signed by architect Niccolo Paoletti, engineer Antonio Capretti and draughtsman Giuseppe Puliti. The engravings are signed by Gaetano Vascellini, Cosimo Zocchi and Giovanni Battista Cecchi, Benedetto Eredi and Ferdinando Gregori, and all members of the Accademia delle Belle Arti of Florence. Collation: 4 unnumbered ff. (including title and description of plates) and 15 double-page engravings mounted on tabs.