1859 Photographic Portfolio

[Vatican]. COLLECTION DE MÉDAILLES ANCIENNES RECUEILLIES AU PALAIS DU VATICAN ET DANS LES DIVERS MUSÉES DE ROME. Paris: Alfred Cadart, 1859. 4to, later full tan morocco; spine with four raised bands, lettered in brown; brown endpapers; original printed front paper cover bound in. 11 cardstock leaves onto which have been mounted original albumen photographic prints depicting ancient coins, engraved gems, and other objects. Some marginal smudges; generally fine or nearly so. A portfolio of eleven photographs depicting a few hundred coins, cameos and engraved gems from the collection of the Vatican and from various museums in Rome. Several of these photographs include coins. The images generally depict casts of the coins, which were housed for display in bezels within wooden cases, the edges of which can be seen. The photographic prints measure between 12 and 13 cm by around 20 cm, and are mounted on thick paper stock. The prints have aged rather well, with little in the way of fading. Of considerable historical interest. Very rare.