LASSELS (Richard). The Voyage of Italy, or a Compleat Journey through Italy. In two parts. With the characters of the people, and the description of the chief towns, churches, monasteries, tombs, libraries, pallaces, villas, gardens, pictures, statues, and antiquities. As also of the interest, government, riches, force, &c. of all the Princes. With instructions concerning travel.1670

Newly printed at Paris [i.e. London?]: and are to be sold in London, by John Starkey, at the Mitre in Fleet street near Temple-Barr, First edition, second issue, 2 parts in one, 12mo (149 x 86 mm), [46], 251, [3]; 192, 195-326, 337-447, [5]pp., part 2 has separate dated title page, with imprint "Printed at Paris by Vincent du Moutier", pagination and register, with additional engraved title, woodcut initials and headpieces, with L12 and final 2ff., all blanks, some light marginal toning, but a very good copy generally, contemporary calf, neatly and sympathetically rebacked, red morocco lettering piece. "The most influential English guidebook of the period, conditioning the first impressions of many a tourist to that country. It also provided the basis for subsequent guidebooks... The unprecedented attention it paid to art and architecture encouraged the phenomenon of the eighteenth-century style 'grand tour' (a term coined by Lassels) according to which art prevailed over all other subjects, religious or secular."—(ODNB). Provenance: Lord Lilford, Lilford Library (bookplates). Wing, L465; Pine-Coffin, 635.