Salzenberg William: Alt-Christliche Baudenkmale von Constantinople vom V. Bis XII. Jahrhundert. Auf Befehl Seiner Majestät des Königs. Berlin: Von Ernst & Korn, 1854 First edition, the deluxe second issue with the additional chromolithographed title and the tinted frontis not appearing in the first issue.ELEPHANT FOLIO, a very imposing book, original cloth-backed boards, spine worn,gutta percha perished, plates and leaves nearly detached, complete: title,40p.(explanation of plates),14p. (the Paulus Silentarius work on Saint Sophia), [1] with additional chromolithographed title, tinted frontis of a cross, 39 plates, including 14 splendid chromolithographs plus one extra lithograph (not founded in other copies and not numbered) depicting Agia Sophia, probably an early essay of the fine chromolithographed plate of the church, in total 42 Elephant Folio plates.Occasional light spotting and very pale marginal water stains, some stains and abrasions to covers. Ex libris of David Talbot-Rice (1903-1972), leading Byzantine Historian of the 20th century who led the excavations in the Palace in Constantinople in 1952-55 and the restoration of Saint Sophia in Trebizond later. A fine provenance. Salzenberg, a Prussian architect travelled to Constantinople in 1848 to take advantage of Fossati's restoration to the fabric of St. Sophia, in order to examine the building closely. Salzenberg spent five months in Constantinople and was able to make detailed drawings of mosaics in the church which had been brought to light during the works in progress. These mosaics were later covered over with plaster and by 1850 none were visible.One of the most spectacular rescue mission in the history of Byzantine art..For the first time in centuries, the Ottoman whitewash and plaster were removed from the walls, revealing the original 6th-century gold mosaics of Justinian.. Salzenberg was given special permission to document them before they disappeared again. A giant, heavy portfolio of plates. It features stunning gold-inked color plates. Salzenberg used a new printing process to mimic the shimmer of the Byzantine tesserae. This technique was so expensive that few copies were produced, with the financing of the Prussian government and most were given as presents to Royals and Museums. The most detailed floor plans, sections, and interior elevations created up to that point. It was so accurate that architects still refer to his measurements today. Salzenberg didn't just do Hagia Sophia; he documented also other Byzantine gems like the Church of the Holy Apostles,which was destroyed and St. Irene. Salzenberg''s important work, remains the major source of information about the mosaics of St. Sophia. (Blackmer). A copy with an extra unrecorded plate and the personal copy of a David Talbot-Rice. Blackmer 1483.