Vitruvius: The Ten Books on Architecture Value Guide

This 1960s Italian printing of 'De architectura' brings the only surviving major architectural treatise from classical antiquity into a modern format. Featuring the renowned Morris Hicky Morgan translation and 68 detailed illustrations, it remains a cornerstone for collectors of Roman engineering and Renaissance theory.

What Is Vitruvius: The Ten Books on Architecture Worth?

The typical price range for Vitruvius: The Ten Books on Architecture is $10 - $30 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the cover and spine, as these paper-based editions are prone to wear.
• Completeness of all 68 illustrations and internal pages.
• Presence of any original dust jacket or specific Italian series branding.
• Overall preservation of the paper, including lack of foxing or significant yellowing.

How to Identify Vitruvius: The Ten Books on Architecture?

• Verify the presence of 68 specific illustrations throughout the text.
• Check for the 'Made in Italy' or Italian publisher imprint consistent with 1960s production.
• Confirm the translator is listed as Morris Hicky Morgan on the title page.
• Look for the characteristic mid-century paper stock and ink quality typical of 1960s reprints.

History of Vitruvius: The Ten Books on Architecture

Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, known simply as Vitruvius, was a Roman architect and engineer who lived in the 1st century BC. His seminal work, 'De architectura', or 'The Ten Books on Architecture', is the only surviving major work on architecture from classical antiquity. It profoundly influenced Renaissance and later architectural theory and practice, providing insights into Roman building methods, city planning, and aesthetic principles. This particular edition is a modern translation, making ancient wisdom accessible to contemporary audiences.