William Gell: The Geography and Antiquities of Ithaca.London 1807 First edition,small Folio,contemporary leather over boards,a fine binding, ex libris of Henry Barnes and A.C. Lascarides, text clean and bright complete 119p., 2 maps and 13 fine aquatints plates (3 folding and 6 double page), some light water stain in the very last five six pages affecting also adjacent plates, overall in very good condition. Blackmer 661, Abbey 133 This book represents one of the first serious attempts to apply rigorous topographic field research to the locations described in Homer’s Odyssey.At the time Gell published this, there was a heated debate among scholars as to whether Ithaca was a real place or a poetic invention. Gell, an ardent Homeric literalist, traveled to the island in 1801 and 1806 accompanied by the archaeologist Edward Dodwell to prove that the island of Ithaca was indeed the home of Odysseus. Gell was a meticulous draftsman. The book is famous for its 15 plates, which include highly accurate maps, plans of ancient ruins, and panoramic views of the island’s coastline and mountains. He identified the ruins on the hill of Aetos as the likely site of Odysseus's palace. While later archaeology shifted focus to other areas like Stavros, Gell’s documentation of these ruins was pioneering. Throughout the text, Gell compares the physical features of the island, such as the Cave of the Nymphs and the Fountain of Arethusa, directly with lines from the Odyssey, arguing that Homer must have visited the island personally. Beyond archaeology, the book contains valuable descriptions of Ionian Greek life, including local Easter celebrations and traditional dances. The book was a major success and solidified Gell's reputation. It even earned him a famous mention from Lord Byron: "Of Dardan tours let dilettanti tell, I leave topography to classic Gell."