PACIAUDI, Paolo Maria (1710-1785) - Descrizione delle feste celebrate in Parma l'anno 1769. Per le auguste nozze di sua altezza reale l'infante Don Ferdinando colla reale arciduchessa Maria Amalia. Parma: Giambattista Bodoni, [1769]. A fine copy with the arms of Duke Ferdinand I of Bourbon-Parma (1751-1802) of this festival book printed by Giambattista Bodoni and produced in celebration of the Duke's wedding with Maria Amalia (1746-1804), Archduchess of Austria, in 1769. The various festivities that marked the marriage, illustrated and described here in great detail, included tournaments, costume balls, an elaborate fireworks display, a pastoral play, and a Chinese fair. Several plates pay particular attention to those who attended and their attire and the coat-of-arms of some participants is also included. The elaborate celebration was designed by Ennemond Petitot (1727-1801), the first Architect of the Duchy. The edition is thought to have been printed in 1002 copies including 144 to the Bourbons arms as the copy here present. Elephant folio (545 x 400mm). Half-title, additional engraved title, engraved vignette with the Borbone arms on title, 76 text leaves in Italian and French, 5 headpieces, 8 initials and 19 tailpieces, 36 engraved plates of which 6 double-page (occasional light soiling, few marginal tears and a larger tear to center fold in one of the double-page plates). Contemporary mottled calf, with the gilt arms of Duke Ferdinand I of Bourbon-Parma on the covers (extremities rubbed, joints, spine ends and corners somewhat worn).

Estimate € 2,500 - 3,500