3 parts in one tome in 8° (180x120); pp. XII (including allegorical copper-engraved antiporta depicting Italy crowned with trophies at its feet) 419, (1). Small friezes, ornate endpapers, all in woodcut. A total of 26 elegant copper-engraved plates folded out of text, (including 1 map of Italy). Coeval mute paperboard with manuscript title on the spine. Good edition of one of the best-known geographical-historical-artistic descriptions of the peninsula, originally published in Latin in 1600 and then translated into Italian in 1615. The work, as the Marquis Maffei states in the preface, 'absolutely free of fables or falsehoods', is rich in curious news as well as faithful descriptions of the places mentioned. The first part 'Description of Italy in General' mainly concerns northern Italy but also Tuscany and central Italy with relevant plates, the second part 'Journey of France to Rome' is an itinerary from Chambery to Rome, the third part is 'Description of Rome, Naples and Sicily'. At the end is 'Notizia distintiva delle poste che si riscontrano in diversi viaggi principali d'Italia'. Fine and genuine specimen, binding with slight surface abrasions. D'Ancona, 686 'the most complete edition is Rome, 1761' Cremonini, 66; Fossati Bellani, 302.