Wightwick, George (1802--1872)
A selection from the museum of the Vatican, consisting of antique vases, altars, chairs, and various architectural fragments, by George Wightwick, architect, ...
London (Place), published by Messrs. Colnaghi; Messrs. Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green, & Longman; Messrs. Ackermann and Co.; J. Williams' Library of Arts; A. Friedel; and to be had of all the principal book and printsellers in town and country,, 1837.
[16] leaves, XIII litho. pl. ; 43.1 cm. (2°)

With a dedication to Sir John Soane. George Wightwick was briefly employed by Soane in 1826 as an amanuensis and reader, departing in early 1827 due to the architect's difficult character. He later wrote a lively description of Soane. See A.T. Bolton (ed.), The portrait of Sir John Soane, R.A. (London 1927), pp. 393-413. This work, like his earlier Select views of the Roman antiquities (q.v.), is based on drawings made by Wightwick during a visit to Italy in 1825--26. The plates were lithographed and printed by Adam Friedel. The verso of the final leaf advertises two further works by Wightwick 'Preparing for publication' on Florentine and Venetian architecture and on the Duomo in Florence, but neither has been traced and both were apparently abandoned. The work was issued in lithographic printed paper wrappers or similarly printed boards (as here). BAL, Early printed books, no. 3635.

Copy Notes Upper cover inscribed bottom right in ink 15/ (partly obscured by damage to surface of paper). Soane died on 20 January 1837; it is not known whether this book entered his library during his lifetime.

Binding C19th quarter maroon morocco, blind roll-tooled border, publisher's printed light grey paper boards, the upper cover with the title in a lithographed architectural frame and the imprint omitting Ackermann's name, the lower cover with an advertisement for 'A Selection Of Heads, Printed in Colors & Published By A. Friedel'.

Reference Number 3589

Additional Names Museo Vaticano