Observations on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening. Including some remarks on Grecian and Gothic Architecture, collected from various manuscripts, in the possession of the different Noblemen and Gentlemen

Published by J. Taylor, London, 1803

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Seller: Donald A. Heald Rare Books (ABAA), New York, NY, U.S.A.Donald A. Heald Rare Books (ABAA)

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AbeBooks seller since May 9, 1998

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Hardcover

Condition: Used

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Item description from seller

(to be measured). Stipple engraved portrait of the author by W. Holl after S. Shelley, 27 engraved or aquatint plates (including 12 hand-coloured, 3 tinted, 12 uncoloured; 12 with overslips, 1 folding, 1 double-page), numerous engraved, wood-engraved or aquatint vignettes and illustrations, 2 with overslips. (Small neat repairs to folding plate). Full, straight grain, red morrocco, spine in six compartments with raised bands with black and green morocco labels. Boards and spine elaborately gilt with tools related to the book's themes of landscaping and gardening. Inner denttelles. First edition in a magnificent red morocco binding of the classic work on landscape gardening in which Repton lays out and illustrates what he considered to be the fixed principles which should be adhered to in any large-scale landscape improvement. Humphry Repton was the main successor to Lancelot 'Capability' Brown as an improver of grounds for the English gentry in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century. He was particularly noted for his 'Red Books' so named by Repton for their distinctive red leather bindings he favoured. These were produced for each individual client and were made up from a manuscript description of his proposed improvements bound with Repton's own watercolour drawings of the grounds, with his proposed alterations displayed on an overlay. Repton's landscapes displayed his preference for a gradual transition between house and grounds by means of terraces, balustrades and steps. Textually this is one of Repton's most valuable works, for two main reasons: it contains long quotations from some very important Red Books which are now lost (those for Corsham, Bulstrode, Shardeloes, and West Wycombe), and it also contains Repton's major contribution to the evaluation of 'Capability' Brown. Although critical of some minor details the general tone of these passages is full of praise for the memory of the great gardener, and an able defense against the criticisms voiced by the theoreticians, Payne Knight and Uvedale Price. This volume's binding celebrates the author's carefully compiled prospectuses for which he is known. Decorated with tools of vines, well-pruned trees, gardening motifs, and fanning scalloped elements borrowed from architecture, this extraordinary binding serves as a dynamic display of the advice and philosophy within. Abbey Scenery 390; Tooley 399; Henret I, p. 546; Prideaux, p. 349; Hardie, p. 128.…

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Bibliographic details

Title
Observations on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening. Including some remarks on Grecian and Gothic Architecture, collected from various manuscripts, in the possession of the different Noblemen and Gentlemen
Author
REPTON, Humphry (1752-1818)
Publisher
J. Taylor, London
Publication year
1803
Binding
Quarto
Edition
1st Edition
Seller catalogs
Colour-Plate & Illustrated

Donald A. Heald Rare Books (ABAA)

New York, NY, U.S.A.

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AbeBooks seller since May 9, 1998

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Donald A. Heald Rare Books offers the finest examples of antiquarian books and prints in the areas of Botany, Ornithology, Natural History, Americana & Canadiana, Native Americans, Voyages & Travels, Maps & Atlases, Photography and more. Founded in England in 1972, we have formed and contributed to important private and institutional collections. Items of note which we have placed include a unique copy of Abbot’s "Natural History of the Rarer Lepidopterous Insects of Georgia" with plates on vellum, an extremely rare extra-illustrated large paper Spanish edition of Blaeu’s "Atlas Mayor," Curtis's "North American Indian," a copy of the Federalist Papers in boards, the first separate printing of the Bill of Rights, and a large paper issue of Redouté's "Les Roses" with the plates in two states. We are renowned for our extensive print inventory which is unsurpassed in quality. Our Sporting collection recently incorporated the complete print stock of Ackermann & Son of London, established in 1783. We are members of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America, where Mr. Heald has served on the Board of Governors as Treasurer, Security Chairperson, and as Chairman of the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair. We are members of the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, and the American Historical Print Collectors Society. Mr. Heald is a member of the Grolier Club, and the American Antiquarian Society.…

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Fine Bindings, Maps and Atlases, Voyages and Travels, Americana, Natural History, Illustrated Books, Historical and Decorative Prints, Colour-plate Books

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Donald A. Heald Rare Books (ABAA)

NY, U.S.A.