Oblong folio (29.0 x 41.6 cm). Title page, 3 pp. (introduction, contents leaf); 61 tissue-guarded photogravure plates. Contemporary blind half linen over marbled boards. Marbled endpapers.

A well-illustrated work, showing unique images of a marble-mining region in Italy, including landscapes, mines, miners at work, etc., photographed around the turn of the 20th century. This is number 129 of a limited edition of 150 copies. Compiled by the French marble entrepeneur Jean Bernard Sancholle-Henraux (1874-1931), who was active around the town of Seravessa. Henraux built a marble Art Nouveau-style villa in Seravessa, which, in WWII, gained notoriety as an SS headquarter. With a handwritten dedication, by the author, to Emile Schneebeli, and dated 10 February 1909. Probably this is Heinrich Emil Schneebeli, who designed a marble fountain in Zürich, or Emil Scheebeli (1875-1927), about whom little else is known. Uncut. A few, small, marginal spots, a few more on the title, and in all an excellent, clean, unmarked copy. Not in any major bibliography.