Gell Sir William and John Gandy, "POMPEIANA: THE TOPOGRAPHY, EDIFICES AND ORNAMENTS OF POMPEII", London, Rodwell and Martin, 1817-1819. 4to, pp. xxxi, [1], 273, [3]. FIRST EDITION. The first account of Pompeii in English, with many plates based on Gell’s own sketches made on the spot using the camera lucida. Complete: half-title, frontispiece and 80 engraved views, maps and plans on 78 sheets (including one double page plan and one double page view), many woodcuts in text. In 1814 Gell accompanied princess Carolina in her tour of Italy and he later settled in Rome. During his stay in Italy, Gell and John Peter Gandy published "Pompeiana" in 1819, offering to the European audience for the first time a collection of the findings of the excavations in Pompeii. This work is of particular interest also because the topographer drew finds and excavation sites with the aid of a "camera lucida", which ensured very precise images. Full dark blue leather, gilt edges, boards paneled in gilt, spine with blind-stamped floral decorations, boards rubbed at joints and corners, some spotting to plates. Not in Blackmer (Blackmer 666 for the 1824 ed.)