Rosellini, Ippolito.

First edition, 12 volumes (9 volumes text and 3 plate volumes), 8vo (227 x 136mm.) and folio (705 x 510mm.), plates: 3 volumes, half-titles, 394 engraved plates (numbered 1-169, 1-135, 1-86 and 4 additional plates no.44), approximately 139 coloured by hand (varying from full colour to a few details), text: 8 volumes in 9 (vol.3 of Monumenti storici in 2 parts, separately bound), 12 folding plates, one single plate and 44 full-page illustrations, uniform nineteenth-century red half morocco gilt, gilt stamp "Bibliotheca Conoviana" on upper cover turn-in, gilt edges, all titles with library stamp of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, [Hilmy, II, 182; Gay 2218], somewhat spotted, ink stain in marign of some plates in vol.3, plate 78 in vol.3 with dust-soiling, bindings slightly rubbed

Ippolito Rosellini (1800-1843), considered the father of Italian Egyptology, studied under Jean-François Champollion (see lot 168), whom he met in Florence in 1825 and later became a great friend and associate. In 1828 Rosellini accompanied Champollion on the Franco-Tuscan expedition to Egypt, which was financed by the grand duke of Tuscany, Leopoldo II and the king of France, Charles X.

This work is the result of that expedition and is divided into 3 parts:
Parte prima. Monumenti storici, atlas and text vol.1-4 in 5 vol. (vol.3 in 2 vol.), 1832-1841, 135 plates, text with 11 folding plates and 44 full-page illustrations
Parte seconda. Monumenti civili, atlas and vol.1-3, 1834-1836, 169 plates, text with one folding plate and 2 errata leaves at end
Parte terza. Monumenti del culto, atlas and one vol. text ("tomo unico"), 1844, 72 plates (including 4 additional plates no.44), text with one plate and errata leaf at end

The work is very rare. Only one copy (lacking the text and some plates) has appeared at auction in the last 35 years.