Philippe

The World in Color : Italy

1950 · rif. 1521 — New York: Whittlesey House McGraw-Hill Book Company Inc 1950. Square 8vo. 195 x 155 mm. 7 ¾ x 6 inches. 478 pp. 1 including an Index of Place Names. Two-hundred and ninety-six mostly full-color illustrations and twenty-seven color maps of Italy and its cities and regions. Publishers' red cloth binding with gilt lettering and decorations on the spine and on the upper cover; illustrated endpapers; missing dust jacket. Book is Near Fine: light fading along the spine; minor soiling and shelf wear; previous owner's name inscribed on the title-page. Otherwise the copy is in pristine and nearly unread condition. The illustrations are still remarkably sharp and vivid and with a depth and diversity of color that is not typically seen elsewhere. First Edition. A wonderfully illustrated guide to the art history and culture of Italy intended as a primer for tourists. It begins with an overview of the art history of Italy from ancient times to the eighteenth century is followed by a section on Rome and the Vatican and then moves on to the various regions of Italy going into more detail on their own unique cultural and artistic output. The most impressive aspect of the book is its rich illustrations with original drawings and art set alongside vivid reproductions. The stylized maps are lively and evocative of the areas they depict. . Whittlesey House McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc unknown