Rio de Janeiro, Primor Ltda, 1978. Reprint of the original 1852 edition. This is a giant folio set housed in a 56 x 38 cm clamshell box. The box is heavy and sturdy with a half-leather wine binding. Gilt engraving on the front board. Inside the box are: - a title page - the Dedication to the Prince Albert page - an English and Portuguese list of the plates - 25 colored plates, hand-numbered - a 26th plate, Serra da Estrela, numbered no. 20 - a booklet in Portuguese with "Notas Biographicas" about William Ouseley - a map of Obligado - the editor's Colofão in Portuguese all folio-sized, as well as an octavo (218 x 148 mm) hardcover wine cloth book, Bradel-style bound, in English and Portuguese, the title in each language being embossed on each cover. 118 pp. for the English part, 127 pp. for the Portuguese part. The book comments on each view. Some foxing on the inside of the box and the title page, which seems faded. The dedication page shows a bit less foxing and no fading at all. Plates are all in good condition as seen on pictures. Some slight folding on a few pages with no loss on the pictures. As for the book, it is well-bound and aside from a few foxing on the free white endpapers, title pages and some marginal foxing on a few pages margins, shows mostly clean, fresh pages. The giant folio box shows a few wear and tear. Marginal parts of the gilt design lack their color, with no damage to the box overall, it is quite sturdy.
More pictures on request. A stunningly beautiful and extremely scarce set!