[Collection of Popular Trades and Costumes of Naples]

Naples, 1830. Charming compilation of hand colored lithographs minutely illustrating Neapolitan life & Italian trades, often with scenes of Mt. Vesuvius in the background. The vendor of dried lung is surrounded by stray cats; the "Acquajuolo" sells blessed water to the elite, and illustrates the beggars as well; the fried spleen vendor (!) has a background of a nursing mother with the baby's cradle; a professorial gentleman reads aloud to peasants and soldiers alike in "Canta storie sul molo".

These color prints with landscapes and subjects of Neapolitan folklore were much in demand by the public and local and foreign tourists. It is likely that this album was assembled for the tourist trade. Occasionally they were issued with a title page printed on the front board, which is not the case in this instance.

The 20 lithographed plates with original hand color of Italian trades include Sorbettiere di strada; Giocatori di mora; Mellonaro; Venditore di carne cotta; Pescivendoli a S. Lucia; Venditore di Tamburi; Venditore di Castagne secche; Giuoco del Cavo; Il Ciabattino detto Solachianiello; Venditore di polmone cotto; Cambia monete (run by a woman!); Canta storie sul molo; Giuocatori di palle; Venditrice di Polipi cotti a S. Lucia; Cercante per S. Antonio Abute; Venditrice di Milza fritta; Franfelliccaro Venditore di pezzi di mele cotto; Acquajuolo; Il Pizzajuolo; Venditore di acqua Solfurea a S. Lucia.

The plates measure 8 1/2w x 6 3/4h" (21.5 x 17.2 cm). Original half brown calf, six gilt bands on spine, marbled boards, original plain endpapers, with a small dark mark penetrating the ffep and the first three plates, o/w a very fresh copy with a few light thumbed marks. Binding slightly rubbed at edges o/w very good condition.