Atlases

BRITISH PLATE BOOKS

George Cruikshank. The Genius of George Cruikshank. 2 vols. Large quarto. Each volume has the same spine title and half title, but one has title: An Essay on the Genius of George Cruikshank by William Makepeace Thackeray and the other An Essay on the Genius of George Cruikshank by John Wilson. London, 1840 and 1843. These two essays provide octavo title pages and text that precede many leaves of text and prints that are inlaid into large quarto leaves. Volumes contain 234 leaves and 211 leaves respectively. Half leather binding with some water induced distressing to the boards. Gold stamping on spines and boards. A lovely and interesting set.

These unique, extra illustrated books provide a splendid study in word and example of George Cruikshank's art. The art pieces range from small woodcut and steel engraved book illustrations to foldout hand colored separately issued caricatures. There are seven examples of the latter, and eleven aquatints from W.H. Ireland's Life of Napoleon Bonaparte (1823) [see Tooley, 278], 12 colored plates from The Wit's Magazine, among others. A more detailed list of illustrations can be provided upon request. $3,600

Charles Parker. Villa Rustica: Selected from Buildings and Scenes in the Vicinity of Rome and Florence; and arranged for Rural and Domestic Dwellings. With Plans and Details. Second Edition, with Corrections and Additions. London: John Weale, 1848. Quarto. Seventy-one of 72 lithograph plates present. Ex libris. Shelf worn, with clear tape on spine.

Believing that for English domestic architecture the Italian school of design was most useful and, according to Gilbert Laing Meason, "within the reach of our habits and comforts," architect Parker (1799-1881) originally published this collection of illustrations in 1832.

The book's format is to have an explanation of a particular building, followed by floor plans, elevations, and a rendering of the exterior. Villa Rustica was influential in the continued development of Italianate domestic architecture in nineteenth century England, by offering illustrations of, and practical guidance on, the adaption of Italian villa forms to contemporary use and the English climate. $90

Go to British prints page

Spacer Spacer Spacer

For further information, please contact:

106 E. Lancaster Avenue, Lower Level
Wayne, PA 19087 USA
610.808.6165
PhilaPrint@PhilaPrintShop.com