Italian Art Book Appraisal

Caruggio: Vicolo di Liguria by Piero Vado (Limited Edition Lithographic Book)

This item is a softcover book or catalog titled "Caruggio: Vicolo di Liguria" by Piero Vado, published under the series 'Quaderni di Liguria'. The cover is made of off-white cardstock or heavy paper, showing slight discoloration and some faint brown spotting, particularly visible towards the bottom right corner, suggesting age-related wear or minor staining. The overall condition appears to be good for its age, with no apparent tears or major creases from the visible areas. The front cover features a black line-art illustration of a narrow, arched alleyway characteristic of Ligurian architecture, extending from the top left down to the bottom center, creating a sense of depth and perspective. The title "caruggio" is prominently displayed in a bold, rust-brown color, with "vicolo di Liguria" below it in a matching but slightly darker shade. The author's name, "piero vado," is in black, standard font above the main title. Below the illustration and title, there is text indicating "36 tavole in litografia numerate e firmate dei più tipici vicoli della provincia di SAVONA," which translates to "36 lithographic plates, numbered and signed, of the most typical alleys of the province of SAVONA." Beneath this information, there is a handwritten signature and a numbered edition, 'N.T/200', indicating it is part of a limited edition of 200 copies, with 'N.T' likely being an initial or abbreviation for 'Not for Sale' or 'Numbered Test' or simply 'Numero Tipico' (Typical Number). At the very bottom, in small black text, it reads "litografia f.lli spirito - savona," identifying the lithographer. The craftsmanship appears to be typical of a special edition art book from the mid to late 20th century. The subtle creasing along the spine indicates it has been handled, but not excessively. The illustrative quality of the cover gives insight into the artistic nature of the content within, focusing on detailed architectural representations. The cream color of the paper and the brown text suggest an aesthetic common in publications from the mid-20th century.