Description

Half-Leather. Two folio volumes [14″] bound in contemporary dark green leather over brown boards, Spines are raised and gilt decorated, endpapers marbled. Illus trated with over 1,000 engravings and 39 [of 40] full page color chromolithographic plates– the title plate not bound into volume II. Covers the period from before the conquest up through the 1840’s. Most renderings depict either architectural subjects or period costume. An important book in the history of color printing, being one of the first examples of mass produced color illustrations made a vailable to the public ‘at large’. The chromolithographic plates were produced by Leighton Brothers, and this American issue [circa 1850 and most probably the first thus] was bound from the English sh eets. The American issue is relatively scarce, with British copies much easier to find. Both volumes show moderate rubbing, especially to leather at tips, and 5 plates in volume I have marginal dampstain at lower edge, not affecting image. Titlepage in volume I is separated from gutter at lower extremity but firmly bound. Text and illustrations very clean. A handsome set of this title in very good or better condition. Postage surcharge for oversize set, please inquire.