Paris, Huart, 1741. Small 8vo (16.6 x 9.5 cm). xxiii, 361, [iii] pp.; three large folded plates, one very large folded table. Contemporary full calf. Spine with five raised bands. Compartments with rich gilt floral patterns and red morocco label with gilt title. Marbled endpapers. Edges red.

In this work the author, Francesco Serao (1702-1785), gives a detailed account of the mount Vesuvius eruption of 1737 and discusses the shape of the mountain, which, according to him, must have been different in the past, in view of the ancient lava streams outside Monte Somma. The name of the playwright Louis-Adrien Duperron de Castera (1705-1762) is the only name on the title page; he, however, was the translator. In the rear of this copy, an extract of a letter from William Hamilton, discussing the eruption of 1767, has been tipped in, as well as two folded plates showing the 1767 eruption and the phenomena then observed. Apart from these peculiar and useful additions, the book is clean, unmarked. Spine a bit rubbed, otherwise a very good copy. Ward and Carozzi, 2032.