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Chambers, Sir William (1723--1796) - In verse
[Treatise on civil architecture. 1825. Large paper issue]
A treatise on the decorative part of civil architecture, by Sir William Chambers, ... With illustrations, notes, and an examination of Grecian architecture, by Joseph Gwilt, architect, ...
London (Place), Priestley and Weale,, 1825.
2 vols ; 37.9 cm (4°)
I: [2], iv, [1], viii--li, [1], 254 p., engr. frontis. port., 15 pl.
II: [4], 255--514, [2] p., 16--65 pl.

Soane is named fourth in the 'List Of Subscribers' (pp. [ix]--xii) for one of 25 copies issued with 'Proofs On India Paper, Quarto'. The great success of the revised and augmented third edition of Chambers's Treatise, 1791 (q.v.) may have inspired Gwilt and the publishers Priestley and Weale to bring out a new, up-to-date edition with reduced steel-engraved plates to challenge Taylor's Architectural Library who owned the original coppers. Taylor responded with a new 'Fourth Edition' in the following year (see BAL 602). The present edition includes a memoir of Chambers's life by Thomas Hardwick (pp. [xxxv]--li) and 'An Examination Of The Elements Of Beauty In Grecian Architecture, ... By Joseph Gwilt.' (pp. [1]--62). Harris and Savage, 127 and pp. 160--1; BAL, Early printed books, no. 601 (large 8° issue).

Copy Notes Large paper issue with India paper proofs of the plates. Part payments to Priestley and Weale at £1 5s. each are recorded on 16 June 1825 (parts 1--2), 10 August 1825 (part 3), 29 October 1825 (part 4) and 22 December 1825 (part 5).

Binding C19th half maroon roan, gilt or blind-ruled borders and spine, matching marbled paper boards and endpapers.

Reference Number 6546

Additional Names Priestley and Weale; GWILT, Joseph (1784--1863)


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