103 - [Italy]. VASCELLINI, Gaetano.

[Italy]. VASCELLINI, Gaetano. Collection of Drawings of the Royal Baths of Montecatini in the Valdinievole. Florence, (n.p.), 1787. Folio (58.5 x 40.6 cm), [4] leaves, 16 plates including the frontispiece title and view, engraved in black on copper. Contemporary marbled fawn half-maroquin with period corners, domino-patterned paper covers, smooth decorated spine, gilt title, gilded scrolls (binding rubbed with some restoration on the spine; small wormhole on the endpaper and the first two leaves; slight soiling on the title page; minor, insignificant water damage on the upper margin of a few plates; plates likely washed). The only edition of this magnificent publication on the new thermal baths of Montecatini near Pistoia, in Tuscany. An exceptional illustrated work on the historic spa town of Montecatini, west of Florence, and its new buildings designed by the neoclassical architect and sculptor Niccolo Gasparo Paoletti (1727–1813) at the initiative of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Peter Leopold, between 1774 and 1778. Large engraved frontispiece title page featuring an architectural balustrade and the grand coat of arms of the Duchy of Tuscany, with a view of Montecatini in the background, a general view of the site, followed by 14 black-and-white copperplate en plano engravings, mounted on tabs, illustrating the new establishment through cross-sections, facades, interiors, details of the technical systems, and lead pipes. The title page and general view were drawn by Antonio Terreni. The architectural drawings are signed by the architect Paoletti, the engineer Capretti, and the draftsman Puliti. The engravings are by Vascellini, Zocchi, Battista Cecchi, Eredi, Gregori, and all the members of the Accademia delle Belle Arti in Florence.