Designs for Small Picturesque Cottages and Hunting Boxes, adapted for Ornamental Retreats for Hunting and Shooting, {BOUND WITH} Architectural Designs for Rustic Cottages, Picturesque Dwellings, Villas {AND WITH} Sketches for Country Houses,

GYFFORD, Edward; William Fuller POCOCK and John PLAW

Published by J. Taylor, J. Harding and J. Carpenter, London, 1803

About this Item

GYFFORD, Edward. Designs for Small Picturesque Cottages and Hunting Boxes, adapted for Ornamental Retreats for Hunting and Shooting, 20 sepia aquatint plates, [not in Abbey or Berlin Cat.], J. Taylor, 1807.
{BOUND WITH}
Pocock, William Fuller. Architectural Designs for Rustic Cottages, Picturesque Dwellings, Villas, &c, 33 sepia aquatint or engraved plates, [Berlin Cat. 2318; not in Abbey], J. Taylor, 1807.
{AND WITH}
Plaw, John. Sketches for Country Houses, Villas, and Rural Dwellings; calculated for persons of moderate income, un-numbered sepia aquatint plate, and 41 aquatint plates and plans (33 hand-colored), a little offsetting, [Abbey, Life 49 (edition of 1800); not in Berlin Cat.], J. Taylor, 1803.

Quarto (11 1/4" x 9 1/8", 284mm x 232mm).

Bound in nineteenth-century half calf over marbled boards by Gresswell of Taunton (their ticket to the front paste-down). On the spine, four raised bands. Title gilt to green morocco in the second panel.

Rear board detached. Worn generally, with some rubbing and skinning. Tanned, with offsetting throughout and some passages of foxing. Armorial bookplate of R.C.A. Prior to the front paste-down.

This Sammelband of three early architectural works of English design on the evolution of rural dwellings is possibly unique. While the title page of the first work says that it is the first part of a series, the second part had actually been published the previous year as Designs for Elegant Cottages and Small Villas. It appears that Gyfford only managed to acquire one commission - Bellevue House, demolished in 1936 - and traded mostly as a draftsman.

In his dedication to Sir John Courtenay Honeywood, Pocock indicates that his book (Architectural Designs for Rustic Cottages, Picturesque Dwellings, Villas) is "calculated to further the views you entertain for promoting the comforts and happiness of those rustic dependents necessary to an extensive Estate." The Preface reveals his concern about the conflict between utility and aesthetics in domestic design.

Plaw's Sketches for Country Houses, Villas, and Rural Dwellings was first published 1795: "These designs were among the earliest of the cottage and villa books which became so popular during the first quarter of the nineteenth century." [see: COLVIN, p.642]. ABBEY LIFE 48. ARCHER 259.2. "The title of Plaw's book recalls the long-standing ideal of the English country estate as a place of rural retirement.in addition to several designs for fences and ha-has, he illustrated a wide variety of rustic and picturesque structures. Plaw was the first practicing British architect to publish a detailed design for an entire village (Plate 33). Plaw's influence was more widespread than his practice. He was, for example, the first British architect to recommend the use of pise, or rammed earth, in building cottages. Plaw helped establish several important Romantic alternatives to the prevailing Palladian canons of architectural design." Text provides detailed descriptions of each plate.

Seller Inventory # 72TR003

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Designs for Small Picturesque Cottages and Hunting Boxes, adapted for Ornamental Retreats for Hunting and Shooting, {BOUND WITH} Architectural Designs for Rustic Cottages, Picturesque Dwellings, Villas {AND WITH} Sketches for Country Houses,
• Publisher: J. Taylor, J. Harding and J. Carpenter, London
• Publication Date: 1803
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Good