KIRCHER, Athanasius (1602-1680) - Latium, id est nova et parallela Latii tum veteris tum novi descriptio. Amsterdam: Johannes Jansonius, 1671.   First edition of this richly illustrated work dedicated to the most notable places in Lazio. The plates represent geographical maps and many views of the surroundings of Rome, among which the engravings dedicated to the Castelli Romani are particularly evocative. Of particular importance is the plan, carried out by Pirro Ligorio, of Villa Adriana in Tivoli. Arriving in Rome in 1635, Kircher, a German Jesuit, philosopher, historian and museologist, dedicated much of his time to exploring the city and its surroundings. During his studies he examined both ancient and modern sources and personally visited the places that were the subject of his research.   Folio (380 x 245mm). Engraved frontispiece, portrait of Pope Clement X included in the collation, 26 engraved plates, many engraved illustrations, woodcut headpieces and initials, gathering 3* bound after gathering T with the plan of Villa Adriana included in the collation as reported by Biblioteca Marciana (frontispiece remounted, browning, marginal waterstains). Contemporary speckled calf, gilt decorations and title on later spine label, red speckled edges (rubbing at joints and extremities). The collation of the present copy corresponds with the digitized reproduction of the copy from the Sapienza University of Rome. Provenance: De Vabenzi (armorial bookplate).

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