Spallanzani, Lazzaro | Travels in the Two Sicilies, and some parts of the Apennines

Spallanzani, Lazzaro

Travels in the Two Sicilies, and some parts of the Apennines. London: G.G. and J. Robinson, 1798

4 volumes, 8vo (213 x 125 mm). Title to each volume, 11 folding engraved plates; light foxing, light browning and open and closed tears to edges of some plates, some offsetting, minor marginal staining, volume 4 with more significant dampstaining. Contemporary calf, spines with gilt-lettered and numbered morocco labels, edges stained yellow; splitting to joints, fading to edges, stains to edges of volume 4. 

First English edition.

Lazzaro Spallanzani traveled to Sicily in 1788 to observe volcanic activity and collect samples from Vesuvius, Stromboli, Vulcano, and Etna on behalf of the Pavia Museum. He noted that gas explosions in caverns both forced up molten lava and ejected massive rocks, an observation later used to determine the composition of lava and to identify the volcanic gases—an observation “fundamental to vulcanology” (Norman).

REFERENCES

Norman 1984

PROVENANCE

Woburn Public Library (bookplate to upper pastedowns, dated 15 June 1877) — Christie’s New York, 19 December 2002, lot 127