Bidspirit auction | HAMILTON, William Douglas (1730-1803) -

HAMILTON, William Douglas (1730-1803) - Collection of engravings from ancient vases mostly of pure Greek workmanship discovered in sepulchres in the kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Naples: Tischbein, 1791-95. First edition in fine binding of the first published 3 volumes of this important series of illustrations of Greek and Magna Graecia vases collected by William Hamilton, British ambassador to the Kingdom of the two Sicilies. Unfortunately, part of the collection illustrated here sank near Scilla with the ship that carried it, the HMS Colossus, while the saved pieces were sold to Thomas Hope (1769-1831), a famous collector and London ”viveur”. Folio (480 x 375mm). Folio (480 x 375mm). 3 volumes (of 4). 1 volume: double calcographic frontispiece, in English and French, 3 plates (the last two numbered 2-3), 60 numbered plates; Volume 2: double calcographic frontispiece, in English and French, 4 unnumbered plates, 54 of 61 plates (missing plates 15, 22, 23, 28, 35, 44, 52); Volume 3: double calcographic frontispiece, in English and French, 5 unnumbered plates, 60 plates for a total of 11 unnumbered plates and 174 (out of 181) numbered plates (some browning and staining). Fine contemporary calf, rich golden frame, geometric decorations and gilt titles on spine label, coloured endpapers (light wear and rubbing). (3)