KRASZEWSKI J[ózef] I[gnacy]. Vilna from its beginnings to the year 1750. vol. 1-4 complete. edition by Adam Zawadzki. Vilna 1840-1842.
Circulatedand printed by Jozef Zawadzki. Pp. XXIV, 477, [1], p. 6 (including fold-out plan of the city of Vilnius circa 1550); 528, p. 7; 383, [1], p. 7; XVI, 408, p. 1; 21.5cm.
Hardcover half leather of period with gilt and decoration on spine, decayed page edges.
Good condition, soiling/rubbing of bindings, title page missing in vol.1 and dedication page (photocopy attached), map missing in vol.4 (small piece preserved). In vol.1, a plate with an image of Vytautas from another work by the author (Anafielas. Songs from Lithuanian stories. Song 3 and the last one, Vilnius 1843).
A monograph of the city of Vilnius covering its chronological history, the history of major architectural structures (city hall, temples and palaces), city institutions and guilds, as well as Vilnius laws and privileges. Volume 4 includes the history of Vilnius scientific institutions and a bibliography of Vilnius prints in chronological order for the years 1519-1799 . The work isdecorated with lithographed portraits (including those of kings Sigismund Augustus, Alexander, Sigismund III Vasa and Prince Jerzy Radziwill), views of the city and its buildings (including St. Nicholas Church, St. Anne's Church, St. Nicholas Church, and St. Anne's Church.Nicholas Church , St. Anne's Church ,castle buildings, tombs, the Ostra Brama (Gates of Dawn), the Vilnius hills and the Tatar Mosque) AND a plan of the city from 1550. Lithographs printed in Oziemblowski's workshop in Vilnius.
Very rare in complete and uniform binding!
Jozef Ignacy Kraszewski (1812-1887) - Polish writer, publicist, publisher, historian, encyclopedist, social and political activist, co-founder of Macierzy Polska, author with the largest number of published books and poems in the history of Polish literature (seventh in the world in this respect) and painter. Literary pseudonyms: Bogdan Boleslawita, Kaniowa, Dr. Omega, Kleofas Fakund Pasternak, JIK, B.B. and others.