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SHENSTONE, William (1714--1763)
[Works. 1764]
The works in verse and prose, of William Shenstone, Esq; most of which were never before printed. In two volumes, with decorations. ...
London (Place), printed for R. and J. Dodsley,, 1764.
2 vols ; 20.2 cm. (8º)
I: [2], viii, 345, [7] p., engr. frontis. : engr. illus.
II: [6], 239, 248--392 p., engr. frontis., [1] fold map : engr. illus.

First edition of the collected works of Shenstone, who had been planning a subscription edition of his works at the time of his death. Preface signed 'R. Dodsley'. The first volume contains his poems, the second his essays together with a description of the Leasowes by Dodsley and a selection of verses dedicated to Shenstone. A third volume, containing letters, was published by J. Dodsley in 1769. Much of Shenstone's verse and prose deals with architecture and landscape gardening, a term coined (as 'landskip gardening’) by him. The description of the Leasowes, with an engraved plan, describes the celebrated 'ferme ornée' which Shenstone designed at his country estate in Warwickshire and on which he lavished much time and money. It featured walks through woods and fields, adorned with Gothic ruins, obelisks, urns, and inscriptions from classical authors in the style of picturesque pioneered by Batty Langley, and was described by Johnson in his Lives of the poets (q.v.) as 'the envy of the great, and the admiration of the skilful; a place to be visited by travellers, and copied by designers'. Contemporary travellers, such as John Wesley and Thomas Jefferson, came with Dodsley's Description in their hands. The catchword on page 207, vol I is incorrect: 'Such'; the correct catchword is 'He'. At the end of vol. II is an engraved cul de lampe by Charles Grignion after D. Bonet. In this edition the title-page vignette of both volumes is that of a kingfisher; another edition shows Dodsley's initials. ESTC t92444.

Copy Notes Presumably the copy in two volumes acquired from Thomas Boone for 6s. on 9th June 1804, though lacking his usual pencil inscriptions and codes. (Priv. Corr. XVI.E.1.4). In vol. I the rear pastedown is inscribed in ink with a bookseller's code in a tiny hand, and in pencil with (?)inventory number 3320. Pencil sketch of a carnation on the front free-endpaper of vol. II. With the late C18th armorial bookplate of John Liptrap Esq., F.A.S. on the front pastedown of both volumes. Liptrap was elected F.R.S. in 1802 and was at the time Chairman of the London Hospital. He was later bankrupted and his library went to auction at Sotheby's on 25 April 1804 and seven following days, and his 'Museum' 'Removed from Mile End, and sold by order of the assignees' was sold on 29 and 30 May 1804.

Binding C18th sprinkled calf, gilt double-ruled spines, red morocco spine-labels.

Reference Number 1383

Additional Names Thomas Boone; Dodsley, Robert (1703--1764); Liptrap, John; Leasowes Garden (Halesowen, England), Early works to 1800; Graves, Richard (1715--1804)


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