168 - Palma di Cesnola L.: Cyprus, its cities, tombs and temples. London, 1877

Palma di Cesnola L.: Cyprus, its cities, tombs and temples. London, 1877 First edition. In large 4to, original green and gold publishers hard covers in almost fine condition, complete 456p., 108 plates and 2 maps, text and plates clean and bright, ex libris of the Marquis de Sausenay, a well known explorer of Cyprus, and ex libris of the Manoir de Roncheville and the famous Petritzi collection, overall in almost mint condition and with fine provenance. Luigi Palma di Cesnola was an Italian American officer who after the civil war had been appointed Consul of the United States to Larnaca, Cyprus (1865-1877). He spent his stay there carrying out excavations which resulted in the discovery of a large amount of antiquities. The collection was purchased by the Metropolitan Museum of art and Cesnola became its first director after his return to the US. His account is of the utmost value for Cyprus. A landmark travel account for Cyprus. References: Blackmer 1237, not in Atabey