[Early Printing] Bosio, Antonio, and Pauli Aringhi. Roma Subterranea Novissima, in qua Antiqua Christianorum et Praecipue Martyrum Coemeteria, Tituli, Monimenta, Epitaphia, Inscriptiones, ac Nobiliora Sanctorum Sepulchra...

Arnhem: Johan Friderich Hagen, 1671. Thick 12mo. (xxii), 630, (29) pp. Illustrated with an engraved title-page, one folding engraved map of Rome, 51 engraved plates, and numerous in-text woodcuts. Full contemporary brown calf, spine decorated in gilt, red morocco spine label, extremities and joints rubbed; red speckled edges; marbled endpapers; book-plate of Jacques Laget on front paste-down, book-plate of Bibliotheca Residentiae Insul S.J. on same; ink stamps on recto front blank, contemporary ownership signature on verso of same; closed tear in gutter edge of folding map;

A handsome early Latin translation of Antonio Bosio's comprehensive work on Rome's catacombs. Originally published in Italian in 1632, this edition was edited by Italian theologian Paolo Aringhi. Bosio is recognized as the "father of Christian archaeology", and spent nearly forty years exploring the catacombs of Rome, where he detailed their tombs, coffins, murals and mosaic decorations, carefully transcribing what he found. As many have since deteriorated or been destroyed, this is a primary work on their composition and structure. Profusely illustrated with reduced versions of the plates that appeared in the 1632 first edition.

A handsome copy.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

[Early Printing] Bosio, Antonio, and Pauli Aringhi. Roma Subterranea Novissima, in qua Antiqua Christianorum et Praecipue Martyrum Coemeteria, Tituli, Monimenta, Epitaphia, Inscriptiones, ac Nobiliora Sanctorum Sepulchra...