Emanuele Gaetani, Francesco Maria (1720-1802). Sicilia Nobile. Palermo: Bencivenga, 1754-1759 [CON:] Appendoce alla Sicilia nobile. Palermo: Bentivegna, 1775 First edition, rare on the market (only two passages in the last 20 years, RBH) of this important work that reconstructs the history of Sicilian nobility, illustrating genealogies, titles, feuds and family events, offering at the same time a precious picture of the political and institutional history of the Kingdom of Sicily as well as interesting historical digressions geographical areas on the various parts of the region. The work is still today one of the main repertoires for the study of the Sicilian aristocracy and an indispensable source for genealogical and heraldic research on the island. The set is enriched by the only volume of the appendix published by the author, appeared fifteen years later; the second volume was published posthumously in 1897, edited by C. Crispo Moncada and A. Mango. Three parts in 4 volumes, plus a volume of appendix, total 5 volumes, Folio (275 x 190mm), Calcographic cartoons at the frontispieces, large map of Sicily folded at the beginning of the first volume, tested, capilettera and finely engraved finishes (In the first Volume the two L2-L3 text cards are missing; the second volume, containing the continuation of the second part, lacks the three portraits marked. Blossoms and some sporadic gora.) Elegant uniform coeva binding in full parchment, with titles and friezes impressed in gold to the backs. Origin: handwritten notes coeve at the margins of the first volume of the second part. (4)