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Art & Architecture

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Art & Architecture encompasses a broad sweep of material, from early works concerning architecture and architectural history, and books and manuscripts on the fine arts and aesthetics, antiquities and archaeology, to pattern and design books, and private press books and fine bindings. The department also handles original artwork, artistic archives, posters, and propaganda material.

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  1. BATTY, John.

    The Scope and Charm of antiquarian Study … Revised and enlarged …

    London, George Redway, 1883.

    First edition of The Liberty of independent historical research, second edition of The Scope and Charm of Antiquarian Study.
     
    ‘What is the use of bothering your head about the past?’ asks John Batty, a Yorkshire antiquary; he provides an answer in this beguilingly written guide to the...

    £150

  2. [CHRISTIE’S – FOUNTAINE.]

    Catalogue of the celebrated Fountaine Collection of Majolica, Henri II. Ware, Palissy Ware, Nevers...

    London, [William Clowes & Sons for] Christie, Manson, & Woods, 16 June 1884.

    An early photographically illustrated auction catalogue, partially priced, for the sale of the Fountaine collection of ceramics, enamels, and relief works.

    £650

  3. CROOKES, William, Sir.

    Autograph letter, signed, to Sir John Evans.

    London, 7 Kensington Park Gardens, 26 May 1892.

    The scientist Sir William Crookes writes to congratulate the archaeologist and geologist John Evans on his imminent knighthood: ‘I must take this opportunity – the last perhaps in which I can call you “Mr” – to offer you my sincere congratulations on the honour which I see is to be conferred...

    £250

  4. DAVY, Sir Humphry.

    Autograph letter, signed, to Charles Stuart, 1st Baron Stuart de Rothesay, discussing the unrolling of papyri...

    ‘23 Grosvenor Street London’, 26 May 1821.

    An unpublished letter in which Davy discusses his examination of papyri entrusted to him in Paris by Sir Charles Stuart, then British Ambassador to France.

    £750

  5. GARGIULO, Raffaele.

    Cenni sulla maniera di rinvenire i vasi fittili Italo-Greci. Sulla loro costruzione, sulle loro fabbriche più...

    Naples, Tipografia Virgilio, 1843.

    Second, revised and enlarged edition (first 1831), illustrated with sixteen handsome engraved plates.

    £275

  6. MARLIANI, Bartolomeo.

    Urbis Romae topographia.

    Rome, Valerio & Luigi Dorico, September 1544.

    First illustrated edition (third overall), considerably expanded, providing a comprehensive visual record of ancient structures and sculptures in Rome as known in the sixteenth century.

    £5500

  7. PERUCCI, Francesco.

    Pompe funebri di tutte le nationi del mondo, raccolte dale storie sagre et profane.

    Verona, Francesco Rossi, 1639.

    First edition of Perucci’s account of the funeral practices of Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, extensively illustrated with engravings copied in reverse from Porcacchi’s 1574 Funerali antichi di diversi popoli, et nationi, inscribed by a Scottish antiquary and documented book collector.

    £975

  8. PIGHIUS, Stephanus Vinandus.

    Themis dea, seu de lege divina … Mythologia … in quatuor anni partes, ab auctore recognita.

    Antwerp, Christopher Plantin, 1568.

    First edition of Pighius’s two treatises on Roman archaeology, one of the founding texts of scientific research into myths.

    £450

  9. SAULCY, Louis Félicien, Caignart de.

    Note sur une inscription punique découverte au Cap Carthage en 1841. Lue à l’Académie...

    [Paris], Imprimerie Royale, 1843.

    Rare offprint from the Journal Asiatique on a stone found at Carthage inscribed with Phoenician text, and a contribution to the deciphering and study of the Phoenician-Punic language.

    £250

  10. SPON, Jacob.

    Voyage d’Italie, de Dalmatie, de Grece, et du Levant, fait aux années 1675 et 1676 par Jacob Spon docteur medecin...

    Lyons, Antoine Cellier, 1678.

    Very rare first edition of ‘one of the most important accounts of travels in the Levant, and the first description of Athens which was systematic, detailed, and trustworthy’ (Blackmer).

    £4750

  11. WISE, Francis.

    A Letter to Dr Mead concerning some Antiquities in Berkshire, particularly shewing that the White Horse, which gives...

    Oxford, Printed for Thomas Wood … 1738

    First editions. A Letter to Dr Mead was the first serious archaeological study of the Uffington White Horse. Francis Wise, Keeper of the Archives at Oxford University and later a friend of Samuel Johnson, contends that the horse, which he eulogises as a work of art, had Saxon origins, because...

    £350