Francisco Xaverio Dornn - Litanie Lauretane - ex libris Marchesi de Las Cases - 1771

Splendid and exceptional specimen of the famous Lauretan Litanies by Francisco Xaverio Dornn, printed in Augsburg in 1771 (Editio Tertia) by Matthäus Rieger & Sons. The work is renowned in sacred art history for its imposing and magnificent iconographic apparatus, entirely etched on copper by the renowned Klauber brothers, among the most important German baroque engravers of the 18th century. COMPLETE ABSOLUTEITY AND DISTINCTIVE ELEMENTS: Plates: The volume is strictly complete 100% with all of its 57 copper engravings in total. It includes the iconic initial illustrated guard (frontispiece) and the 56 splendid interleaved plates, characterized by extraordinary sharpness and a wealth of allegorical details. Pages: The textual apparatus counts 82 pages in total, preceded by the guard sheets and the ecclesiastical approvals of the era. NOBLE ORIGINS OF PRESTIGE: Inside the front cover there is a fascinating and exclusive heraldic Ex Libris engraved, belonging to the private library of the famous French house of the Marquesses de Las Cases (a family historically linked to Napoleon Bonaparte’s events). The coat of arms clearly shows the shield with the diagonal stripe, the Marquess’s crown, and the famous Latin motto “Semper Paratus.” Above the coat of arms is glimpsed a placement note from the era and an old ink signature. CONDITION: Interior: In excellent internal condition. The pages and copper engravings are fresh, solid, and well bound. The paper retains excellent heft, with margins well preserved and ink clarity truly remarkable for a text over 250 years old. Exterior: In generally good condition for its age. The volume presents its solid and fascinating contemporaneous full leather binding. It shows the physiological and normal signs of time and use on the boards, edges, and spine, which do not compromise the overall solidity but testify to its authenticity and historical charm. The page edges retain the typical original red spray. A sacred work of rare availability in these complete conditions, enhanced by a noble pedigree that makes it a one-of-a-kind display piece for collectors of ancient books, heraldry, and period engravings.