Francesco Piranesi, eldest son and heir of the famous Giovanni Battista Piranesi was just 20 years old at the time of his father's death in 1778.  He produced this first part of a projected volume on temples quickly to assure his position.  Undoubtedly it was in preparation before the elder Piranesi died; indeed, Francesco's father may have had a hand in the planning and production of the work.  Part two on the Pantheon was not to appear until a decade later.  The plates on the temple of the Sibyl are brilliantly conceived and executed and confidently project the son's considerable talent.

PIRANESI, Francesco.  Raccolta de'Tempi Antichi, Prima Parte . . . Rome: 1780.  Folio, disbound in a recent green cloth portfolio with flaps and ties.  Text in Italian.

First edition. With 19 of 21 original plates (lacks plates four and five), 10 of which are double folding.  Some minor soiling, light foxing, some plates expertly cleaned. $7,500.