Pompeiana: The Topography, Edifices and Ornaments of Pompeii

London: Jennings and Chaplin, 1832 . First edition. Leather. Good. 10" by 6.5". Not Stated. The richly illustrated first expanded edition of William Gell's important study of the nineteenth century excavations at Pompeii. The first edition thus of this expanded edition published by Jennings and Chaplin. Initially published from 1817-1819, this edition includes information on the developments in excavations made after 1819.Volume I is illustrated with a frontispiece, engraved title page, two hand coloured plates, thirty-four plates, and in-text vignettes. Volume II illustrated with a frontispiece, engraved title, and forty-seven plates, as well as in-text vignettes. Collated, complete.An important work on the history and topography of Pompeii, the ornaments discovered there, and it's demise.After the publication of the first edition, 'Pompeiana' became the standard work on the excavations of Pompeii. It is an immense work that delves into the exciting excavations of Pompeii, an event in history that still holds much fascination with people today.By Sir William Gell. William Gell was an important classical archaeologist who is known for his topographical publications on Troy and Pompeii. Gell took Sir Walter Scott to see the excavations before his death.With the armorial bookplate of Edward, Lord Suffield, to the front pastedowns. Suffield was a British liberal politician, anti-slavery campaigner and prison reformer. In full calf bindings, with gilt detailing and blind tooling. Light rubbing to board perimeters and joints, with light discolouration to back strips. Loss of leather and significant rubbing to tail of volume I rear board. Bookplate to front pastedowns. Hinges strained and somewhat tender. Internally, firmly bound. Significant tide marks to tail of each leaf of volume I, with worming to final five leaves. Pages of volume II clean and bright. Good