NEWTON Charles Thomas, “THE CASTELLANI COLLECTION. A Series of Twenty Photographs by Stephen Thompson selected and described by C. T. Newton, M.A. Keeper of the Greek and Roman antiquities, British Museum”, London, George Bell and Sons, 1874.

Folio, pp.6, [2] + 19 (of 20) albumen photographs (dim. from 13.5 x 20.5 cm to 17 x 24 cm) pasted on 16 thick cartons, loose as issued.

The “Castellani Collection”, was a vast collection of important Greek, Roman and Etruscan artifacts made by the Castellani family the well-known Italian jewelers, goldsmiths, collectors and antique dealers based in Rome. Newton, then keeper of Greek and Roman Antiquities at the British Museum, was fascinated by the Castellani collection that he considered as one of the largest collections of ancient gold and silver ornaments ever assembled. He became the catalyst for the acquisition of the entire collection by the British Museum in 1873, persuading the British government to spend a significant amount and facing the French and Prussians that also made their own offers for the acquisition of the collection. This is a very rare publication of the collection, just a year after its acquisition by the British Museum, including some masterpieces presented in real albumen photographs photographed by British Museum’s photographer Stephen Thompson.  

Original covers with title blind-stamped in gilt. Wear: both covers detached, covers worn along edges, missing spine. Some spotting inside, some leaves with chipped edges, few cartons with marginal tearing, all photographs in Fine condition.

VERY RARE. Few copies tracked in libraries worldwide, no copy tracked sold in auction the last years.