STACKELBERG (Otto Magnus von). - Lot 9

STACKELBERG (Otto Magnus von). Greece. Picturesque and topographical views. Paris, I. F. d'Ostervald, 1829-1834 (1837). 2 volumes in folio format. Contemporary eggplant morocco half-basane, smooth spine, title, tomaison and large gilt rocaille irons in the taste of the period. Rare first edition of one of the finest collections of nineteenth-century views of Greece, still in fine condition. "This is Stackelberg's masterpiece, and it is regarded by many as the most beautiful book of Greek views" (Blackmer 1593). Illustrated with 111 beautiful lithographed views in black on chine appliqué and 16 vignettes in black, based on drawings by archaeologist Baron Otto de Stackelberg (1787-1837), collector and draughtsman on an archaeological mission to Greece. Volume 1, devoted to the Peloponnese, contains 59 plates, including 15 double plates, and 8 vignettes for the false title, title and subtitle. Volume 2, devoted to Septentrional Greece, contains 52 plates, including 12 double plates, and 8 vignettes for the title and subtitle. "Born in Estonia into a noble family; his father was a colonel in the Imperial Russian Army. He studied in Göttingen and traveled to Italy with friends, then to Greece in 1810, accompanied by English travelers John Foster and Robert Cockerell. They excavated the Temple of Aphaia in Aegina, then the Temple of Apollo at Bassae in Argolida. He traveled extensively in Italy, Greece and Turkey, and is considered one of the founders of the German Archaeological Institute in Rome." "Copies complete with text and large views bound in large format are rare on the antiquarian book market". The explanation of the engravings written by Baron de Stackelberg has been revised and completed by Jean-Pierre Rossignol (1803-1893), professor of Greek language and literature at the Collège de France, who also signed the Avertissement. Copy conforms to the Avis leaf placed in volume 2. Blackmer, 1593. Brunet V, 503 (who assumes that the last issue was dated 1837, despite the 1834 date on the title page). Spine faded with some spotting, slight wear; sporadic foxing, some plates browned.