FERRARIO, Giulio (1767-1847) - Il costume antico e moderno o storia del governo, della milizia, della religione, delle arti, scienze ed usanze di tutti i popoli antichi e moderni provata coi monumenti dell'antichità e rappresentata cogli analoghi disegni. Milan: Tipografia dell'editore, 1815.   A copy in excellent condition and in splendid contemporary handcolouring, enriched by 1384 plates including 6 large folding maps of this "monumental and fundamental work on the customs and traditions of the peoples of the world enriched by a precious iconographic apparatus consisting of illustrations by Alluisetti, Biasioli, Bramati, Sanquirico and others. A work that is being published with much decorum and utility. Extracted from all the most select books on Costumes, Travels and Antiquities" (Cicognara). This is the limited edition for subscribers and the volumes are mostly numbered as n. 103 and dedicated "All'illustrissimo Signor Conte Don Ambrogio Annoni di Milano".   18 volumes, folio (340 x 240mm). Half-titles, a total of 1434 (of 1436?) plates finely hand-coloured at the time of which 2 double-page and 6 large engraved folding maps (occasional light spotting, few plates lightly cropped and some occasionally browned). The plates were counted using the indexes as reference, and are divided as follows:   Europe in 9 volumes with 752 plates (lacking plate 80 in the third volume), 2 family trees in the first volume and 2 large folding maps of Europe and Italy. - Asia in 4 volumes with 350 plates, 2 large folding maps of Asia. - Africa in 2 volumes with 159 plates and a large folding map of Africa. - America in 2 volumes with 168 plates and a large folding map of America (lacking plate 52 in the second volume). Modern leather, gilt frames on covers, gilt decorations and title on spines, within wooden cases (light rubbing, few volumes with defects at joints or cases and darkened spines). Provenance: Conte Annoni di Gussola (bookplate to the verso of some half-titles). For a detailed condition report and further information on the contents, please contact the department. (18)

Estimate € 8,000 - 12,000