ca. 1900 Florence (Italy), limited to 26 (lettered) copies, elaborate beautiful bindings, pochoir (hand-coloured) plates

Absolutely stunning bindings decorate these wonderful volumes on Florence; from an edition of only 26 (lettered A to Z), the plates are hand colored (pochoir). The complete work on Florence from the World's Famous Places and Peoples "aquarelles" edition.

From an early 20th century auction catalogue:
"World's Famous Places and Peoples. Illustrated with beautiful full-page colored plates , on Japan paper. Edition des Aquarelles. Limited to twenty-six registered and lettered sets, of which this is Letter (E). Full variegated colored polished calf, gilt backs, elaborate gilt sides, with emblematic crest, in gold, on green levant onlaid, white levant doublure inlaid, elaborately gilded, with broad gold borders, Morris paper fly-leaves, top edges gilt, uncut." - p.117, The Magnificent Library of the Late Howard T. Goodwin, 1903


Physical Attributes -

Each measures approx. 22 x 14 x 4 cm. Christie's sale of an entire set (18 May, 2012, Lot 65, $6,250) claimed that the illustrations are hand colored (pochoir). Volume one has 14 illustrations. Volume two has 16 illustrations. From the lettered set "E".

Condition -

See pictures. Beautiful books, but I'll nitpick so you're sure of what you'll be getting. Slight edge wear to bottom edge and occasionally other edges/corners. Volume two has a few small rubs at top of spine and on spine ribs. No writing or tears. All tissue guards present. A shelf numbering plate on the rear blank endpapers. A small label sticker on the front flyleaf of vol. 1 came off easily, but it ghosted a little circle onto the flyleaf. Also, ghosting of doublures onto Morris paper flyleaves. Vol. 1 has very small dot at the bottom edge of some of the preliminary leaves (very bottom, no where near text).