[VERRI, Pietro & Alessandro] (Association copy William Howley bookplate)

8vo., two volumes. Contemporary vellum with gilt lettered morocco labels to spine. viii+517 pp., viii+523 pp.. William Howley’s (”the last of the Prince-Archbishops”, Archbishop of Canterbury 1828-48) engraved ex libris to paste-downs. An excellent set. Lower leading corner to volume one just slightly damaged. Otherwise an excellent set. Crisp, clean and tight. No ownership marks. The influential Milanese periodical Il Caffe (The Coffeehouse) published during the Italian Illuminismo (Enlightenment), was the inspiration of celebrated economist and philosopher Pietro Verri, with his brother Alessandro. Its 74 issues published between 1764 and 1766, were first collected together in this format in 1766. It is said to have been modelled on the London publication “The Spectator”. Contains the important “Tentativo Analitico su i Contrabbandi” in volume one.