An History of the River Thames
W. Bulmer for Boydell, 1794.
First edition, earliest state with two title pages and aquatint wash borders. Two volumes. Folio (415x315mm). Contemporary tree calf with gilt ruled and ornamented borders to covers, morocco title and volume labels and gilt bands to spine with gilt vignettes to spine compartments. Marbled endpapers and speckled edges. Dedication to George III and the Earl of Oxford. Seventy-six hand coloured aquatint plates with aquatint wash borders by J.C. Stadler after J. Farington three of which are double page, fold out engraved map in two sections (at the start of each volume). A very good set with repairs to joints and hinges reinforced for both volumes. Spine a little worn with a chip from the volume label of vol II. Internally, very fresh with just occasional gatherings heavily foxed, but the plates with notably bright, clear impressions.
One of the grandest and most important books on the Thames.
"although not the first coloured aquatint book, [it] was the first major one, and it was to set an example for the type of illustration that was to enjoy widespread popularity in England for some forty years" - Bruntjen (John Boydell 1719-1804)
Tooley (English Books with Coloured Plates 1790 to 1860) mentions that the "early impressions within aquatint borders [as here] are infinitely superior to the later pulls."
Includes views of Henley, Culham Court, Fawley Court, Park Place, Blenheim, Oxford, Windsor and Eton, Hampton Court and London.
Tooley 102; Abbey Scenery 432
Stock ID: 34554
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