[Grand Tour]. LASSELS (Richard). Voyage d'Italie containing - Lot 147

[Grand Tour]. LASSELS (Richard). Voyage d'Italie containing the customs of the peoples, the description of the capital cities, churches, convents (sic = convents), tombs, libraries, palaces, farms, gardens, paintings, statuës, antiquitez. Comme aussi l'intérêt, le gouvernement, les richesses, la force de tous les princes. A Paris, Chez Loüis Billaine, 1671. Two volumes in 1 large vol. in-12, [18] f., 436 p., 341 p., contemporary havana calf almost completely restored, spine with 4 nerves, title, gilt fillets and fleurons, red and brown speckled edges (spine restored in the 17th century style, 1 corner and lower cover restored, worm tract in lower margin on last 3 quires t.2). First French translation of Lassels' work, rare. Considered the first comprehensive guide to Italy, the work quickly became the most influential English guide of its time. It was also here that the concept of the "Grand Tour" was born. Lassels asserts that every serious student of architecture, antiquity and the arts must travel throughout France and Italy, and suggests that all "young lords" undertake what he calls the Grand Tour in order to understand and learn about the political, social and economic realities of the world. Bookplate R.N.