ACKERMANN, Rudolph | COMBE, William | PUGIN, Augustus | R... Microcosm of London; or, London in Miniature, The An Early and Exceptionally Large ìMicrocosmî in the Original BoardsACKERMANN, R[udolph]. [The Microcosm of London; or, London in Miniature]. London: R. Ackermannís Repository of Arts, [1808-1810].First edition, early issue, with the text watermarked 1807 and the plates watermarked 1806-1808, and with the errata corrected in Volume I, except for ìofficiisî on p. 136, and the errata uncorrected in Volumes II and III (see Abbey, Scenery, p. 138). Three large quarto volumes (14 5/16 x 11 9/16 inches; 363 x 294 mm.). [2, half-title], [2, woodcut title], [2, engraved dedication], iv, [1, contents], [1, blank], [3]-231, [1, blank]; [2, half-title], [2, woodcut title], [2, engraved dedication], [iii]-vi, [1, contents], [1, blank], 239, [1, blank]; [2, half-title], [2, woodcut title], [2, engraved dedication], [iii]-iv, [1, contents], [1, publisherís note], 280, [6, index and errata] pp. Woodcut title and engraved dedication leaf in each volume. With 104 hand-colored aquatint plates, including fifty-four by J. Bluck, twenty-nine by J.C. Stadler, ten by T. Sutherland, ten by J. Hill, and one by Harraden, after Rowlandson and Pugin. Six of the twelve ìkey platesî are in the first state (Plates 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10).Uncut, in the original drab boards with later green paper spine labels printed in black. Some expert repairs to boards. Some slight offsetting from and foxing to the plates. Short tear to outer margin of contents leaf in Volume III. Overall, an excellent and very large copy in the original boards, partially unopened. Each volume housed in a quarter red morocco clamshell case lined with red velvet.ìThe striking feature [of The Microcosm of London: or London is Miniature] is not so much the text (though the third volume is notable as the work of W. Combe) but the coloured illustrations, in this case the combined work of Pugin and RowlandsonÖThe pictures in this book cover all the well-known public buildings of Londonóchurches, banks, prisons, theatres, etc.,ócapitally portrayed by PuginÖThe great metropolis, with its high life and low, its light and its shade, could have had no one better fitted [than Rowlandson] to portray its inmates. The spirited figures that he adds to Puginís backgrounds show that his talents were not limited to the ludicrous and grotesque. With the happiest faculty for expressing character, he is equally at home amid a serious discussion of naval policy at the Admiralty Board-Room, or among the excited, gambling crowd of the Royal Cockpit. At Westminster Abbey or Bridewell, the College of Physicians or Billingsgate, everywhere he has seized on the essential features and the typical frequenters of the placeÖThe book is a living and delightful record of the old metropolis of [two] hundred years ago, the London of Lamb, Jane Austen, Dickens, and Thackeray, of places and incidents that are now mere memoriesî (Martin Hardie, pp. 101-102).Early impressions are particularly prized: ìoriginal impressions of these splendid plates have a luminous quality entirely absent from later printingsî (Abbey).Abbey, Scenery, 212 (measuring 13 1/4 x 10 3/4 inches and in a half morocco binding by Rivière). Adams, London Illustrated, 99. Martin Hardie, pp. 100-103. Prideaux, pp. 121-124 and 348. Tooley 7. 1808 first edition Price: USD 25,000.00 other currencies   order no. 00075    inquire

(To order this book, press this button)

Read the ABAA Code of Ethics

offered by: David Brass Rare Books, Inc. 23901 Calabasas Rd., St. 2060 Calabasas, CA 91302 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA P: David Brass M: Stephen Gertz Tel. (818) 222-4103 Fax (818) 222-6173 E-mail:  Internet: www.davidbrassrarebooks.com We specialize in acquiring and offering only the finest examples of English, American and European Literature, Children's Books, Color-Plate Books, Illustrated Books, Early Printed Books, Private Press Books, Fine Bindings, Original Artwork, Manuscripts, High Spot Modern First Editions, Rare Books and High Spots. # Catalogues * As we do not maintain a retail storefront, we ask that you please contact us to make an appointment if you would like to visit our offices and showroom. We are available by telephone between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm PST, and via our web site and email. CONDITIONS OF SALE RETURN POLICY: We are pleased to extend a 48-hour approval period on all items that are purchased sight unseen. If you are not completely satisfied with the item simply contact us within 48 hours after receipt, and then return it in the same condition you received it for a full refund, less freight charges, or any related costs including credit card transactions, taxes, and duties levied, especially when returning from other countries. PRICING: All prices are in US dollars. For our overseas customers please email us for a conversion into your currency if needed. Shipping and Insurance will be charged at cost. Payment by MasterCard, Visa, or American Express credit card is acceptable. Checks require ten days to clear.    search our database...