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A MONUMENTAL WORK ON BRITISH ARCHITECTURE. CAMPBELL, Colen. Vitruvius Britannicus, or The British Architect, Containing the Plans, Elevations, and Sections of the Regular Buildings, both Publick and Private, in Great Britain… In II Volumes. Vol. I [-II] [AND] ID. The Third Volume of Vitruvius Britannicus: Or, The British Architect. Containing the Geometrical Plans of the most Considerable Gardens and Plantations; also the Plans, Elevations, and Sections of the most Regular Buildings, not Published in the First and Second Volumes. … Tom. III. London, Printed and sold by the Author…, 1717-1725. 12500 FIRST EDITION, 2nd issue. Large folio (52,5x36cm). 3 vols: 1) 10 pp., 100 pl. including t.-pl., engr. dedic. and several double pl. numbered as 2; 2): 8 pp., 100 pl. including the t.-pl., several double pl. each numbered as 2 and 4 quadruple pl. numbered as 4; 3) 12 pp., pl. 3-102 pl. including several double pl. numbered as 2 and 1 quadruple pl. numbered as 4. The printed t-p and dedication appear to have been reckoned as plates (they are listed at the head of the numbered plates in A Table of what is contained in the Third Volume ). This 3rd vol. includes a final addition double plate showing Umberslade Hall, which is not present in the RA copy. Inscription towards top corner of 1st vol. s t-p: Ing.re G. Balzaretto and early C18th bookplate of Carlo Archinto (1669-1732), Count of Tainate to pastedowns. Title and dedication plates in Vol. I and II somewhat browned, internally rather clean with very sporadic light spotting. Vol. III is exceptionally clean and bright. Contemp. mottled calf, double-fillet gilt borders on covers, marbled endpapers. A.e.r. A very good complete copy. 1) and 2) In Volume I seven plates are signed as designed and drawn by Campbell (9, 20, 22, 24-5, 29-30, 54, 96-7); twenty-nine as drawn by him; one as designed by Inigo Jones and drawn by Campbell (50); one as designed by Mr Hawksmoor and drawn by Campbell (99-100); one as 'Ex authographo. D.I. Thornell' [sc. James Thornhill?] (75). None is signed by an engraver apart from the title-plate (pl. 1), which is signed as engraved by J. Sturt, and the engraved dedication (pl. 2), which is signed as scripted by R. Snow and engraved by G. Bickham. The work is dedicated by Colen Campbell to King George. In Volume II seven plates are signed as designed and drawn by Campbell; thirty-six as drawn by him; six as designed by I. Jones and drawn by Campbell; one (47) as designed by Thom. Millner and drawn by Campbell. Most are signed as engraved by H. Hulsbergh; the title plate (pl. 1) is signed as engraved by J. Sturt. 3) Plates 22 and 44 are unsigned. The rest are all signed as designed and drawn by Campbell (or credit him as 'architectus') and as engraved by H. Hulsbergh - with the exceptions that pl. 57/8 and 59/60 (which together would form one large view) have only Campbell's signature on the first and Hulsbergh's on the second, and that pl. 71/2 has Hulsbergh's signature only. The work is dedicated by Campbell to George, Prince of Wales (afterwards King George II). The plates are chiefly plans, elevations and sections of houses, but include some perspective views (of Greenwich Hospital, Castle Howard, Wilton, Apple-Dorecombe, High-Meadow, Longleat, Chatsworth, Althorp and Duncomb Park). Several of the plans are of gardens. 1 and 2) Fowler 76; Harris 98 and 99; RIBA 3544; Millard, II, 10. Seller Inventory # ABE-1651398314984
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