Roma Subterranea Novissima

(Roman Catacombs) Roma Subterranea Novissima.
Arnhem: Johan Friderich Hagen, 1671. With an engraved title, 51 plate illustrations and a few text woodcuts, also an elaborate engraved folding outline map (one diagonal tear repaired, no loss). 12mo, [xxiv] 630pp + [xxix] double-columned index; 17th century leather with extra-gilt spine, gilt-titled label.
Early Latin translation edited by Paolo Aringhi, under whose name it is sometimes catalogued. It was actually organized by Antonio Bosio (1576-1629), recognized as the "father of Christian archaeology", who spent nearly forty years exploring the catacombs of Rome and detailing their tombs, coffins, (truncated) murals and mosaic decorations, carefully transcribing what he found. It was commissioned under the patronage of the Knights of Malta and documents the Roman tombs, coffins, and catacombs, also mural and mosaic decorations, many of which have since deteriorated or been destroyed. The plates are identical with those of the original Italian edition of 1632. A very nice copy. (Inventory #: bb_roman_catacombs)