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Summary
Author: Balzano, Francesco
Title: L’antica Ercolano, o vero la Torre del Greco, tolta all’oblio ... descritta in libri tre.
Publication: Napoli, Giovan Francesco Paci 1688.
Price: Sold
Reference: 11376
Full Description
4to. (16) + 124pp. Early eighteenth century full panelled calf, gilt spine (using the same corner tools as our copy of Beltrani (see item ), from the same source). From the library of the Earls of Macclesfield, with armorial Macclesfield bookplate dated 1860 and neat armorial Macclesfield blindstamp at top of first two leaves, as customary with books from this library. A good, fresh copy.
A scarce publication which is the first book written in modern times on the history of the lost city of Herculaneum and of the subsequent town of Torre del Greco, built over part of the site in the middle ages. The author, a landowner in Torre del Greco with literary ambitions (he had produced a translation of Homer’s Odyssey into Neapolitan dialect in 24 cantos), provides a history of the Herculaneum and Torre del Greco district since the earliest times, and full descriptions of the churches and other principal buildings in Torre del Greco. The book concludes with accounts of the three most recent eruptions of Mount Vesuvius, in 1680, 1682 and 1685.