First volume only, containing 60 (of 160 for the complete work) full-page aquatint plates, partially printed in color and finished by hand. Interleaved with descriptive letterpress of various numbers of leaves. (Folio) 45x30 cm (17¾x12"), old half leather and cloth, spine perished. First Edition.

The first and most significant work on the pomology of Italy. Originally issued in 41 parts containing a total of 160 plates, approximately 175 sets were printed and complete sets are quite uncommon. As many as twenty artists are responsible for the depictions, not including the numerous engravers.  This volume contains sixty of the striking and beautifully colored illustrations, comprising plates with Apples (3), Apricots (5), Cherries (8), Peaches (14), Figs (10), Almond (1), Pears (12), Plums (7). The descriptive letterpress varies in length from a single leaf to more significant descriptions of 4 or 5 leaves. Inserted at one of the fig plates is a smaller plate from another source, illustrating the Figue de Bordeaux engraved by Bocourt, after Turpin, it has caused a bit of offset to the larger plate. Great Flower Books pp. 92-95; Oak Spring Pomona 52; Nissen BBI 683.