Disquisitions upon the Painted Greek Vases, and their probable connection with the shows of the Eleusian and other mysteries

London: published by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green, 1825. Quarter-Calf. Fine. Greatly revised and expanded Second Edition of Christie's treatise, linking Greek vase shapes and iconography to mystery cults, the Hindu festival of Diwali, and lantern celebrations in China. Demy 4to (270 x 210mm): x,[2],146pp, with sixteen engraved plates (two folding). A. & R. Spottiswoode's imprint appears on verso of title leaf and bottom of final page. Beautifully bound to period style by Fitterer in quarter black calf over marbled paper-covered boards, spine in six compartments divided by gilt-ruled bands, cinnamon leather lettering piece gilt, end papers renewed, additional illustrated title page. Two engraved armorial bookplates relaid from original end sheets, one just "Wolfe," the other Sir John Wolfe Barry, English civil engineer whose most famous project was construction of the Tower Bridge over the Thames (1886-94). A superlative, wide-margined copy on heavy stock, text clean and bright, plates with occasional, mostly light spotting. Blackmer 487. RIBA 633. Originally published anonymously, in 1806. James Christie was an antiquary, auctioneer, and member of the Society of Dilettanti (as were Sir Joseph Banks, David Garrick, Sir William Hamilton, Joshua Reynolds, and Charles Towneley), founded in 1734 to sponsor the study of ancient Greek and Roman art, and was a prime mover in establishing the Royal Academy of Arts. Under his direction, the "family firm consolidated its dominance of the London fine art auctioneering scene, in all fields except those of books, manuscripts, prints, and drawings. . . . Friendship with Towneley led him to devote attention to painted Greek vases, and he printed anonymously and for private circulation in 1806 a limited number of copies of a disquisition which was republished under his name with additions in 1825. Besides theories upon the connection between the figures and the Eleusinian and other mysteries, the work contains an attempt to prove that the paintings were copied from transparencies, together with a useful scheme of classification for the vases." (ODNB) According to Blackmer, the examples of vases that Christie cites are from the British Museum and the collection of Thomas Hope. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).