You are bidding on an antique hardcover book that would be a wonderful addition to a collection. The book is titled A View of Society and Manners in Italy: With Anecdotes relating to some Eminent Characters. By John Moore M.D. during his travels through countries, in the years 1777 and 1778, with his Grace, the present Duke of Hamilton. Printed and Sold in Philadelphia by Robert Bell, 1783.

The book appears to be a rare two volume edition of this work, complete in this one volume. On the title page at beginning of the book it states "The First Volume." There is an additional title page at page 241, which most probably indicates the beginning of Volume II. On the bottom of last page of book (page 338) it states "End of the Second, and Last Volume."

This is a very rare book from 1783! This book is well over 200 years old!

The author, JohnMoore, was born in Stirling in 1729 and became a physician. His sons all entered public life, the best known being General Sir John Moore of Corunna fame. He was a cousin of Tobias Smollett and wrote a Life for the booksellers. His A View of Society and Manners in Italy relate in an informal style the observations of Moore's travels with the Duke of Hamilton in the 1770s. 

The author describes his journey as well as visits to Venice (Island of Murano glass factory, St. Mark's Square, origins of Venice, gondoleers), Padua, Ferrara, Bologna, Ancona, Loretto, Rome (St. Peter's, Pantheon, Coliseum, Via Sacra, Tarpean Rock, Trajan's Column, being presented to the Pope, Roman women compared to those in England), Naples, Herculaneum, Pompeii, Florence, Modena, Parma, Milan. Also interspersed with reflections on foreign travel, effect of the climate on the constitution of nuns, state of the common people, observations on pulmonary consumption, etc.

Book is fully bound in leather. The spine label with the titling is almost completely gone. The leather binding shows corner/edge wear with scuffing. The front hinge shows vertical split although the cover remains fairly well attached. The front cover has a bit of a bend from having something heavy pressed onto it. The pages are tightly bound. There is some scattered foxing/toning, mostly light, and is generally less that what would be expected from a book this old. Legibility of text is not a problem. 

Of additional interest about the provenance of this book:

I purchased this book along with several other books that were signed by author, Christopher Morley. On the rear fly leaf of this book is the penciled initial C.M. I am confident that this was put on there by Christopher Morley, but I am not selling this book as a signed book simply because he did not write out his full name.

This is a terrific book to add to a collection. Great gift idea. Very old and rare!

(Inventory: 1043J)