The Society of Dilettanti. "Antiquities of Ionia", London: various publishers, 1797 (2nd part, 1821 (1st part), 1840 (3rd part), 1881 (4th part). A set of FOUR (4) VOLUMES of this monumental work. Folio. Illustrated with 209 in total engraved plates including impressive views plans, maps, drawings, archaeological plans, profile sketches, artifacts, all a result of scientific measurements and approached applied for the first time on field. Second issue of volume one, first editions of volumes two through four. The current offered 2nd edition of vol. 1 is greatly enlarged from the 1st 1769 edition, with the addition of 8 extra plates. A fifth volume (missing from current set) was printed much after, in 1915, and it was a supplement to the 3rd Volume. Founded in London in the early 18th century as a gentlemans club, the Society of Dilettanti was composed of scholars, artists, noblemen, and other Grand Tour travelers. The entire work was the result of the missions to Asia Minor sponsored by the Society, and considered the greatest contribution of the Society to the science of archaeology. Volumes 1 & 2, include the results of the first mission, under the direction of Richard Chandler, with the architect Nicholas Revett and the painter William Pars, that took place between 1764-1766. Volume 3 includes the second mission, headed by William Gell, with the architect John Gandy and Francis Bedford, carried out from 1812-1813. Volume 4 incorporates new researches undertaken between 1861 & 1869 by R.P. Pullan on the sites of Priene, Teos and the Smintheum. Ex-library with book-plates on paste-downs, perforated and ink stamps to all title-pages and some text, perforated stamps to all plates. Three-quarter black leather binding, worn, rubbed, spines enhanced, repairs to the corner of plate 41 in volume two. Text and plates moderately toned, occasionally foxed. Extremely Rare set. Brunet I 1782, Contominas 679, Blackmer 1566