Topographical books & printsThere are 72 items
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Quatuor libri amorum secundum quatuor latera Germanie feliciter incipiunt [and other writings]
Nuremberg, Printer for the Sodalitas Celtica, 1502 (5 April)First printing of the Amores, four books of vivid erotic poems, the major work of the imperial poet laureate Conrad Celtis. The title woodcut, depicting the author in his study, and four topographical woodcuts are believed to have been devised by Celtis himself, and executed by a single cutter, variously identified as Peter Visscher the elder, Peter Visscher the younger, Jacopo de’ Barbari, or Hans Süss von Kulmbach. Two other woodcuts, the “Allegory of Philosophy” and the dedication woodcut, are universally acknowledged as Dürer’s work. -
Architectura militaris moderna. Varijs Historijs, tam veteribus quam novis confirmata, et praecipuis totius Europae munimentis, ad exemplum adductis exornata
Amsterdam, Louis Elzevier, 1647First edition of a manual of military architecture treating both permanent fortifications and field defence, in which occurs the first historical account of the genesis of bastions. -
Afbeeldinge van het Uytstrekend Raadhuys tot Amsteldam… geordineert door den zeer beromden Architect de Heer Ian van Campen Ridder
Amsterdam, Johannes Covens & Cornelis Mortier, c. 1725Views and plans of the Town Hall on Dam Square in Amsterdam (now Royal Palace), designed by Jacob van Campen, and finished after his withdrawal from the project by the municipal architect, Daniel Stalpaert (1615-1676). Our five prints etched by Laurens Scherm (fl. 1689-1701) were first issued circa 1700 by Nicolas II Visscher with publication line “Uitgegeven door Nicolaus Vißer met Octroy van de Hoogmog: Heeren Staten General” and were restruck about twenty-five years later with the address of Johannes Covens and Cornelis Mortier and privilege of the States General. Both editions are rare: Hollstein lists only the three views, and we trace just one other impression of Scherm’s plan of the first floor. Excellent impressions from the Leonhardt “Atlas of Amsterdam” (dispersed by Christie’s in 1989). -
Magnificentiores Selectioresque Urbis Venetiarum Prospectus quos olim Michael Marieschi Venetus pictor, et architectus in plerisque tabulis depinxit. Nunc vero ab ipsomet acurate delineante, incidente, tijpisque mandante, iterum in sexdecim aereis tabulis in lucem æduntur. Venetijs MDCCXLI cum Excettmi: Senatus permissu ac priuil: Venduntur in uico Sancti Lucae apud eundem Auctorem Venetijs
Venice, [after 1743]A magnificent, broad-margined copy (500 × 673 mm) of Marieschi’s etchings of Venice, a consistent set of early impressions, some with the faintly inscribed guide lines for alignment of the lettering still visible. The author of the latest catalogue raisonné of Marieschi’s prints, Federico Montecuccoli degli Erri, associates this feature (‘la doppia riga di allineamento dei relative caratteri’) with the first impressions off the press (‘le tirature precoci’), and on the collateral evidence of watermarks and binding, he conjectured that our set was printed in 1743–1744 (‘sicuramente non posteriore agli inizi del 1744’). The upper cover of the binding is stamped in the centre with the large gilt arms block of Lovisa Ulrika (1720–1782), Crown Princess and later Queen of Sweden (1751–1771). The binder, Christoffer Schneidler (1721–1787), subsequently became the court bookbinder.
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Views of Nancy
Nancy, Dominique Collin, 1757-1760A fine group of four prints recording the spectacular redevelopment of Nancy in 1752-1760 ordered by Stanislas Leczinski (1677-1766), exiled king of Poland, granted the title Duc de Lorraine in 1738. Two prints document the remodelling of the 293 metre-long Place de la Carrière; another depicts the Place Royale (renamed Place Stanislas), a striking example of eighteenth-century town planning, with its statue of Louis XV (by Barthélemy Guibal and Paul-Louis Cyfflé), and Hôtel de Ville (by Emmanuel Héré de Corny, a pupil of Boffrand); and the last print shows the Place d’Alliance (1751-1757) designed by Héré, with its pyramidal fountain by Guibal and Cyfflé (this print is dated in the matrice 1760). The printmaker Dominique Collin engraved in 1764 the “Construction du Quartier Royal des Casernes de Nancy” and also a “Vue Septentrionale de la Place Royale de Nancy” (known only by impressions in unfinished state, without his name). These six topographical prints are “les plus importantes de l’œuvre de Dominique Collin”, writes Beaupré, observing “Il n’est pas facile de les réunir toutes, et surtout de les avoir en belles épreuves” (Notice sur quelques graveurs nancéiens du XVIII siècle, Nancy & Paris 1862, pp.24-27 nos. 47, 49, 50, 52). -
A survey of Kilkea one of the Manors of the Right Hon.ble James Earl of Kildare by J. Rocque 1760
Dublin, 1760Album of drawings, comprising frontispiece and 33 sheets, executed in pencil, ink, and wash, the frontispiece a fine architectural capriccio signed lower left by Hugh Douglas Hamilton, the plans (numbered 1-33) have their titles inscribed within decorative cartouches, of which six (see below) incorporate local views (three of these signed by Matthew Wren, the others unsigned and here attributed to Hamilton), sheet dimensions 530 × 740 mm.This atlas of manuscript plans (frontispiece and thirty-three drawings in pencil, ink, and wash) is one of a set of eight oblong folio volumes comprising a complete survey of the estates in County Kildare, Ireland, of James FitzGerald (1722-1773), 20th Earl of Kildare and 1st Duke of Leinster. The eight volumes came to light in November 1963, when the set was offered for sale as separate lots in a Sotheby’s auction. The atlases of the manors of manors of Athy (1756) and Kildare (1757) afterwards migrated into the Library of Trinity College Dublin; Castledermot (1758) into the National Library of Ireland; Woodstock (1756) into the British Library; Maynooth (1757) into Cambridge University Library; and Graney (1758) into the British Art Center of Yale University. Until recently, the atlas of the manor of Kilkea (1760) here offered for sale could not be located; the atlas of the manor of Rathangan (1760) is still lost.
The identities of the draughtsmen who collaborated to produce the eight volumes of the Kildare estate survey are not all known. In the entire set of 170 plans, only one frontispiece and three cartouches are signed. That signed frontispiece is a virtuoso drawing by Hugh Douglas Hamilton (1740-1808), who went on to become ‘one of the finest painters ever to come out of Ireland’ (Crookshank & Glin). Hamilton’s “little masterpiece” occurs in the atlas of the manor of Kilkea, here offered for sale. The three signed cartouches also appear in the Kilkea atlas. They contain views of local houses and landscape and were drawn by an Irish surveyor, Matthew Wren. The unsigned map decoration in the Kilkea atlas is here divided between Hamilton (twenty-seven sheets) and Wren (three sheets).
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Trattato dei seminarj e collegj da Monsignor Ill.mo, e R.mo Giambattista Lattanzj… per suo privato studio composto e dall’abate Antonmaria Crescioli… pubblicato
Città di Castello, Nel seminario, e Collegio… presso Ortensio Bersiani stampatore vescovile, 1770Only edition of a book of precepts for the building and governance of seminaries compiled by the archbishop of Città di Castello, who in 1752 had rebuilt the seminary there. The book is distinguished by a large folding print of the new seminary and its walled garden engraved by Giuseppe Vasi after a drawing by the painter-architect Giovanni Battista Marchetti. Three other copies can be located (in libraries in Foligno, Nonantola and Urbino). -
Vues de Mannheim représentées sur vingt six planches dessinées d après nature par Jean François de Schlichten et gravées par les fréres Klauber à Augsbourg. Avec une explication des planches
Mannheim, Christian Friedrich Schwan, 1782A suite of twenty-six views documenting the extensive building programme carried out at Mannheim during its years as Electoral capital, 1720-1778. The plates were engraved by the Klauber brothers of Augsburg, Joseph Sebastian (1710?-1768) and Johann Baptist (1712-1787), from drawings by Johann Franz von der Schlichten, professor in the Mannheim Academy, and after 1751 ‘Court Painter’ and curator of the Electoral picture gallery. “Dieser Ansichtenband ist der einzige, der ausführlich über das Aussehen einzelner Bauten in Mannheim des 18. Jahrhunderts informiert” (Barbara Grotkamp-Schepers). -
Plans elevations sections, and views of the Church of Batalha, in the Province of Estremadura in Portugal, with the History and description by Fr. Luis de Sousa; with remarks. To which is prefixed an Introductory Discourse on the Principles of Gothic Architecture by James Murphy Arch.t Illustrated with 27 Plates
London, I. & J. Taylor, 1795A finely-bound copy of the architect James Cavanah Murphy’s measured plans of the Dominican Church and Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória, founded in 1388 by John I of Portugal in thanksgiving for his victory in the battle of Aljubarrota (and thereafter known as “Batalha”, the Portuguese word for battle). It was the first volume illustrative of medieval antiquities comparable in standard to the great volumes on classical antiquities published earlier in the century and had widespread influence, not only in England, but also in Germany. -
Oriental Scenery
London, 1795-1807 (1808)Complete set of “the finest illustrated work ever published on India” (Tooley). The work comprises six series of engravings of Indian views, three published under the title “Oriental Scenery”, and three as “Twenty Four Landscapes, Views in Hindoostan”, “Antiquities of India”, and “Hindoo Excavations in the Mountain of Ellora”, with altogether 144 hand-coloured aquatint plates (and six sepia aquatint title-pages). An octavo volume of text was issued with each part, probably when each series reached completion. Perfect sets like the present one, in fine original condition, including all plates and text volumes, very rarely appear on the market. -
Historische Beschreibung der vom Anton Maulbertsch… am Bibliothekgewölbe der königlichen Prämonstratenserordens-Kanonie, am Berge Sion zu Prag, im Jahre 1794, in einem zusammenhangenden Platfond in Fresko dargestellten Kalkmahlerey
Prague, Barbara Elsenwanger for Anton Petzold, 1797A description of the painted decoration of the so-called “philosophy library” of Strahovský Klášter, the Premonstratensian monastery on the Petřín hill in Prague, written by its Abbot, who had contracted the work in 1793. The frontispiece is a view of the hall (32m long, 10m wide, 14m high) showing its imposing walnut bookcases and a portion of the ceiling, painted in 1794 by Franz Anton Maulbertsch assisted by Martin Michl. An edition of the work in Latin was also published by Petzold in 1797. Our German version is a scarce book: only eight copies can be located (a copy once in the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Munich, is reported lost). -
Voyage pittoresque de la Syrie, de la Phoenicie, de la Palestine, et de la basse Ægypte [title taken from wrapper of Première livraison]
Paris, Imprimerie de la République, 1799Fine set of this uncompleted work documenting ancient sites and scenes from daily life observed during the author’s travels in 1785-1787 through the Ottoman Empire. Few copies contain much (if any) text and the number of plates varies from about 170 to 192 (the latter total in an unidentifiable copy cited by Cohen-De Ricci). Our copy contains 178 plates (plus five duplicate plates). The copy in the British Library contains 40 leaves of text and 180 plates; the same number of plates is reported in the Blackmer copy. The copy in the British Architectural Library contains 179 plates avant la lettre and its cataloguer speculates that the total number of plates published was 183 (all 180 plates present in the British Library copy, plus plates numbered 23 bis and 109 bis in volume I, and a plate numbered 77 bis in volume II). At the Getty Research Institute is a collection of documents, manuscript material, and drawings, made in preparation for the publication; it is said to contain “a letterpress title page, indices, tables for the arrangement of prints” and “190 printed proofs”. -
Reliquiae Britannico-Romanae, containing figures of Roman Antiquities discovered in various parts of England
London, Printed by T. Bensley, for Cadell and Davies [etc.], [1801]-1813-1817 (but 1819)This sumptuous publication, representing nearly twenty-five years of work, illustrates mosaics found on numerous sites excavated by the author, a pioneer of field archaeology and also illustration, far ahead of his time in both discernment and technique. Although Roman mosaics had been encountered previously, notably by Sir Christopher Wren in his reconstruction of London following the Great Fire of 1666, systematic excavation was unknown, and few pavements had been drawn in situ and transcribed into engravings. Lysons’ scholarly publications ushered in a period of great interest in exposing mosaics, and the numbers of known examples multiplied rapidly. Since many mosaics reproduced by Lysons were later damaged by ploughing and gravedigging, in some cases wholly destroyed, his prints have acquired permanent value. -
Voyage dans la Basse et la Haute Égypte, pendant les campagnes du général Bonaparte par Vivant Denon. [Atlas title:] Planches du Voyage dans la Basse et la Haute Égypte
Paris, De l’Imprimerie de Didot l’Aîné, 1802Magnificent copy of the first edition of Denon’s account of his travels in Egypt as a participant on Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign, combining topographical observations with the first comprehensive and accurate descriptions of ancient Egyptian architecture. The work was an instantaneous success, enjoyed an extensive circulation in several languages, and had an extraordinary impact on the architecture and decorative arts in the opening years of the new century. “With its publication the nineteenth-century Egyptian Revival began in earnest” (James Stevens Curl). -
Description d’un Pavé en Mosaïque découvert dans l’ancienne Ville d’Italica, aujourd’hui le village de Santiponce, près de Séville; suivie de recherches sur la Peinture en Mosaïque chez les Anciens, et les Monuments en ce genre qui n’ont point encore été publiés
Paris, De l’Imprimerie de P. Didot l’Aîné, 1802First edition of this beautifully-illustrated work documenting the mosaic mentioned in the title, discovered by labourers on 12 December 1799 at Italica in southwest Spain, reported to José Moscoso, a monk of the nearby monastery of San Isidro del Campo, and by him to Francisco Espinosa, a lawyer in Seville, who paid for it be cleaned and enclosed by a wall. Despite these measures, the mosaic was soon completely lost, and Laborde's work is now the primary witness. -
Twenty-four Views taken in St. Helena, the Cape, India, Ceylon, Abyssinia & Egypt
London, William Miller, 1809Fine copy of the first edition, with plates printed on a thick paper, mounted on guards and interleaved with card, features designated by Abbey as denoting a copy of an early issue (Abbey’s own copy was a late issue, post-1818). -
The Arabian Antiquities of Spain
London, Cadell & Davies, 1815 [-1816]A superbly-bound copy of Murphy’s posthumous work on the Islamic architecture and art of Spain, edited by Thomas Hartwell Horne, and published serially between July 1815 and mid-1816, with the complete volume offered for sale later in that year. The ninety-eight plates are architectural plans, elevations, exterior and interior views; topographical views; and reproductions of antiquities, including the famed Alhambra vases, mosaic pavements, mural paintings, and inscriptions. -
The unedited Antiquities of Attica; comprising the architectural remains of Eleusis, Rhamnus, Sunium, and Thoricus
London, Printed by W. Bulmer and Co., published by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown; and John Murray, 1817Fine copy of the first edition. This work was the result of the second Ionian expedition sent by the Society of the Dilettanti to the Levant, undertaken between November 1811 and the summer of 1813. Its members included William Gell, Francis Bedford, and John Gandy. Their greatest discovery was the Temples of Ceres (now called Demeter) and other buildings on the site of the famous Eleusinian mysteries, and Eleusis is the subject of the first five chapters. -
Mosaïques de Lyon et des départemens méridionaux de la France expliquées et publiées par F. Artaud
[Paris], Debure & Didot l’Aîné, 1818-1822A rare set (title and 59 plates, engravings and lithographs) of coloured reproductions of mosaic pavements discovered at Lyon and Vienne, described by the founder of the Musée des Beaux-Arts of Lyon. Although work on the plates commenced in 1809, a prospectus inviting subscriptions for the work was not printed until March 1818; publication ceased after the twelfth livraison, distributed in 1822.Bound with Artaud (Antoine Marie François). Description d'une mosaïque représentant des jeux du cirque, découverte à Lyon le 18 Février 1806. Par F. Artaud. Lyon, De l'Imprimerie de Ballanche, père et fils, 1806
The second work in the volume documents a mosaic pavement depicting a chariot race in a circus, uncovered in 1806 in the garden of the pharmacist Paul Macors on the ramparts of Ainay.
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Voyage pittoresque et historique de l’Espagne
Paris, De l’Imprimerie de P. Didot l’aîné́ avec les caractères de Bodoni, 1807-1820Fine copy of this encyclopaedic work, composed of plates complementary to a series of historical discourses, remarks on the geography and natural history, manners and customs, of the different regions of Spain.
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