Inscriptiones antiquae Basilicae S. Pauli ad viam Ostiensem.

Folio: [4]-lxiv-[8]-xxxxiv pp. (sl. toned, some marg. soiling or minor spotting).

Contemp. sp. wrappers (rubbed, sm. def.). Very good uncut copy.

Important collection of some 700 inscriptions found in the Basilica di San Paolo fuori le mura, the foremost church dedicated to St. Paul and, along with St. Peter’s, the principal pilgrimage destination in Rome. Commissioned in 386 to enshrine the relics of the apostle, San Paolo was the last great imperially sponsored basilica constructed in Rome. In July 1823 a fire destroyed much of the building. The present collection is the only testimony left of most of the inscriptions. The book is dedicated to Innocentius X. The final part (44 pp.) is titled "Epigrammata reperta per Illyricum a Cyriaco Anconitano apud Liburniam". Large engr. papal arms on title. Large engr. of Charles the Great (p. XXXIII). Some sm. woodcuts. Printed within double ruled border.
Ref. Cicognara 3120.