L'Ancienne Athènes, ou la description des antiquités d'Athènes et de ses environs, par Mr. K.S. Pittakys Athénien, dédié au Roi

Rare first edition, illustrated at the end of the volume with a large folding plate of inscriptions (cf. Blackmer 1317. Not in Atabey).

Contemporary half tan calf over marbled boards, with corners, darkened smooth spine ruled in gilt, black morocco lettering-piece, boards rubbed, red-speckled edges.

One joint fragile and tending to separate, some foxing.

"Pittakis is known as the first Greek archaeologist. His early steps were guided by the French consul in Athens, Fauvel, and in 1828, under the provisional government, he was appointed inspector of antiquities. In 1833, with the coming of King Otho, he was appointed supervisor of antiquities of mainland Greece. In that same year he carried out the first excavation on the Acropolis and began to organize the first collection of the antiquities of Athens. This work, dedicated to King Otho, is probably one of the first books describing ancient Athens to be published in Athens itself" [Leonora Navari].