Magnificent series of views of Athens and Piraeus published in Greek shortly before the end of the reign of King Otto I, dedicated to Queen Amalie. Includes picturesque sailing ships in Piraeus, the Acropolis, the Royal Castle (today Parliament), the Queen's farm, the University, the Cathedral, the Royal Gardens and the Observatory.

An incredibly rare book which celebrates how Athens had flourished in the twenty-five years since the seat of government had moved from Nafplio. The author Marinos Vretos (1828- 1877), was a writer, journalist and son of the Ionian Academy's librarian, Andreas Vretos. He writes how when the King and his retinue had first arrived, the port of Piraeus was nothing but a beach, causing their boats to run aground. Now, however, it was a flourishing hub on the Saronic Gulf and the envy of any European city. The Royal Palace is also described in glowing terms, an imposing building surrounded by rare and magnificent plants, sourced from all corners of the Orient where before there had been simply dust and rocks.

The list of subscribers includes the writer Stefanos Xenos, Lieutenant General Storks (Lord High Commissioner of the Ionian Islands), Konstantinos Mousouros (Ambassador to Greece in the United Kingdom) and many Greeks from Vienna, London, Paris and Constantinople.



First edition, folio (56 x 40 cm); text in Greek with French translation, title-page, dedication, 8pp. of text, list of plates and subscribers, 12 tinted lithographs, text part somewhat browned, title more affected, a little brittle in places in the gutter, lithographs in very fresh condition without any foxing; 19th century cloth binding with title in gilt to upper cover, a fine example.