[Milano, privately published, 1828]. Large 8vo (15.8 x 23.2 cm). 35 hand-coloured plates (some double paged) with explanatory text on the tissue guards. 19th-century brown half calf with marbled boards, spine with red and green gilt lettered morocco labels.

The complete, rare, hand-coloured atlas belonging to parts I (10 plates) and II (25 plates) of this important Italian work on medieval history and culture by Gulio Ferrario (1767-1847), best known for his massive "Costume antico e moderno, o storia del governo, della milizia, della religione, delle arti, scienze ed usanze di tutti i popoli antichi e moderni provata con i monumenti dellántichite e rappresentata con analoghi disegni" in 21 parts (1815). The lesser-known work presented here was originally published in three parts; a bibliographical part (all in Italian only) was published later. This atlas depicts medieval scenes, several based on the figure of Roland (Rolando) and others, as well as castles, church interiors, knights, monks, armour (swords, helmets), coats of arms, flags, etc. L. Sabatelli, Angelo Biasioli, and others made the drawings. Bookplate of Sir Robert Shafto Adair (b. 1786, a descendant of Charlemagne and Egbert, 1st King of England) on front pastedown, marginal light foxing to a few plates, some tissue guards with a few spots, otherwise clean. Uncoloured copies are more common. Brunet II, p. 1233 [14715].