Index testarum conchyliorum quae adservantur in museo Nicolai Gualtieri [...].

Folio: xxiii [incl. front.]-[1] pp.; 126 pl. (first quire sl. loosening).

Contemp. quarter calf, marbled paper on covers, gilt gauffered spine with raised bands (lower spine restored). Partly uncut, wide-margined copy.

First edition of this beautiful shell book by the Italian professor at the University of Pisa and physician to Cosimo III, Grand Duke of Tuscany Niccolò Gualtieri (1688-1744). The Duke was a keen collector and had a magnificent cabinet of shells incl. 360 species sent to him by Rumphius, and many of the duplicates were given to Gualtieri. The present work shows Gualtieri's collection and is one of the most curious and beautiful books on shells ever published. Illustrated with an engr. frontispiece, engr. author's portrait, 110 numbered full-page plates by P.A. Pazzi after drawings by G. Menabuoni showing the shells from multiple sides and standing on the apexes, 2 engr. initials, 17 engr. vign. on (section) titles and 18 other engr. vign. in-text showing corals and other marine life. Title in red & black.
Ref. Nissen (ZBI) 1736.
Prov. Pierpaolo Vaccarino (stamp).