The Works in Architecture of Robert & James Adam
Adam, Robert & James
London. Printed for the Authors; and Sold by T. Becket (Parts I - IV) & Peter Elmsly ... &c. 1778 but 1773–1778; 1779
Sold
A fine copy of the first issue of the first edition of the designs of the Adam brothers in a contemporary binding.
The first volume appeared in parts between 1773 and 1778 and the second volume followed in 1779. The two volumes - delayed by the authors for fear of plagiarism by their rivals - between them illustrate many of the Adams' major domestic commissions - Kenwood, Sion, Luton Hoo, and the London houses of Lord Shelburne and Sir W. W. Wynn - and they were the main means by which knowledge of the Adam style in architecture and interior design spread in Britain and Europe.
This copy with the ceiling plate in vol. I, part II coloured by hand: 'We have published a few copies of this number with the ceiling coloured, as it is executed in the work itself, and have, on that account been obliged to fix the price of those at twenty-four shillings.' (From the text).
The splendid plates, engraved by the best engravers that the brothers could employ (Pastorini, Bartolozzi, Piranesi, Zucchi, Cunego, etc.), illustrate interiors, furnishings and decorative details as well as the architecture of the buildings concerned.
'The aim ... was to establish the primacy of the Adams in creating and establishing a new style of architecture and in publicizing their abilities - and availability - in this respect. But the book was by no means a survey of their built work. Robert aimed to indicate the quality of their connections - the empress of Russia; Queen Charlotte; the princess dowager of Wales; the dukes of Montagu and Northumberland; the earls of Bute, Derby, Mansfield and Shelburne; and Sir Watkins William Wynn - and to present a tantalizing glimpse of the realms that he had created for such notabilities.' (Millard pg. 13).
[Berlin 2341; Millard 2].
The first volume appeared in parts between 1773 and 1778 and the second volume followed in 1779. The two volumes - delayed by the authors for fear of plagiarism by their rivals - between them illustrate many of the Adams' major domestic commissions - Kenwood, Sion, Luton Hoo, and the London houses of Lord Shelburne and Sir W. W. Wynn - and they were the main means by which knowledge of the Adam style in architecture and interior design spread in Britain and Europe.
This copy with the ceiling plate in vol. I, part II coloured by hand: 'We have published a few copies of this number with the ceiling coloured, as it is executed in the work itself, and have, on that account been obliged to fix the price of those at twenty-four shillings.' (From the text).
The splendid plates, engraved by the best engravers that the brothers could employ (Pastorini, Bartolozzi, Piranesi, Zucchi, Cunego, etc.), illustrate interiors, furnishings and decorative details as well as the architecture of the buildings concerned.
'The aim ... was to establish the primacy of the Adams in creating and establishing a new style of architecture and in publicizing their abilities - and availability - in this respect. But the book was by no means a survey of their built work. Robert aimed to indicate the quality of their connections - the empress of Russia; Queen Charlotte; the princess dowager of Wales; the dukes of Montagu and Northumberland; the earls of Bute, Derby, Mansfield and Shelburne; and Sir Watkins William Wynn - and to present a tantalizing glimpse of the realms that he had created for such notabilities.' (Millard pg. 13).
[Berlin 2341; Millard 2].
2 vols in 1. Double elephant folio. (649 x 505 mm). Printed title leaf to each vol., engraved allegorical frontispiece by Bartolozzi, after Zucchi, part title to each part, prefaces (as called for) and 'Explanation of the plates' for each part and 80 engraved plates (two double-page), 40 for each vol., issued in suites of 8 plates (5 for each vol.), plates engraved by Piranesi, Pastorini, Cunesco, Bartolozzi etc. after original designs by Robert and James Adam; this copy with the ceiling plate in vol. I, part II coloured by hand as issued. Several plates with old repairs and backing to versos, occasional browning and irregular trimming, the colour plate faded. Full contemporary calf, boards ruled in blind, rebacked in calf with eight double rules in gilt, original red morocco title label with gilt title retained.
#42190
