1895 edition of the first volume of Ongania's collection of collotype views of Venice in an impressive imperial folio format and in the original publisher's binding. Its Venetian publisher and bookseller Ferdinando Ongania (1842-1911) was especially known for using the latest photographic techniques and the clarity of the collotypes in his publications. This series of views shows the canals, waterways and the lagoon of Venice, but also remarkable places such as the Piazza San Marco, the Palazzo Ducale, the Ponte dei Sospiri and the Canal Grande. But Ongania didn't show only the citys majestic sights, boats and gondolas: he also shows the ordinariness and serenity of 19th-century Venice, sharply contrasting the tourist attraction Venice has become today.
The present first volume of Ongania's collection was already issued in 1891 under the title Calli et canali in Venezia, also containing 100 plates, particularly of the main island of Venice. Several issues of this work followed, including the present one. Its great success also led to a second part, issued with the same title Calli e canali e isole della laguna with 100 new collotypes of the Venetian minor islands, issued in the same years.
Binding slightly worn, especially around the spine. Flyleaves slightly frayed, some foxing on all the plates, but otherwise a beautiful 19th-century collection of collotype views of Venice.