Milano e l'Esposizione italiana del 1881; cronaca illustrata della Esposizione nazionale-industriale ed artistica del 1881

Milano: Fratelli Treves, Editori, 1881. Hardcover. 320p., a rebound folio in 15x11 inch cloth boards with both covers and the complete spine panel laid down on brownish-purple fabric (an opportunity to use the word "puce"), utilitarian but skilled, compatible endsheets, item rather worn at this point in time but still has strong hinges. Original covers were probably from a softbound and have transferred well, while the spine panel is abraded and has received a coat of glaze. Enough about the outside, it is the inside that impresses; following a plat map of the site in monochrome terra-cotta, every two leaves of text alternate with splendid large steel engravings, doublespreads are common. The majority of images are cut crystal-clear, like a modern Piero della Francesca, of enormous machines and interiors and people, and not infrequently are instead moody and dusky on purpose like a Turner. We saw one marginal tear, p.289, graphic slightly affected. The amount of work that went into this production is quite amazing. Negatively, there is a foxing and flecking problem: every leaf is blotched and blotted, with front cover (and next leaf) hit with oil-stain at the publisher's slug area. Most plates have but do not display the blots, but text leaves always do. A good-only copy of a remarkable book. We especially noted a doublespread showing the site at night, illuminated with many electric lights, and another plate showing driver and passengers on a rail-line operated with electricity.