Observations On The Theory And Practice Of Landscape Gardening. Including Some Remarks On Grecian And Gothic Architecture, Collected From Various Manuscripts, In The Possession Of The Different Nobleman And Gentlemen, For Whose Use They Were Originally Written; The Whole Tending To Establish Fixed Principles In The Respective Arts
London: T. Bensley for J. Taylor, 1803. First edition. leather_bound. 222 [2] pages. 35 x 29.5. Stipple engraved portrait of Repton, twenty-seven engraved plates [12 hand-colored, 3 tinted, 12 with overslips, one colored folding and one double page]. Numerous engraved aquatint vignettes, one hand-colored, two with overslips. After trying and failing in a multitude of business endeavors, Repton launched himself as a "landscape gardener," a term he coined himself. After Capability Brown's death Repton filled the void in garden design, more as a consultant, charging for his Red Book designs, but allowing clients to arrange actual execution, This work is considered his classic. Some plate offsetting, frontispiece portrait toned, endpapers renewed, text generally clean, two large foldouts with nicks result of careless folding repaired with archival clear tape at corners. Raised bands, spine panels decorated in gilt arabesque motifs, red morocco spine label. ABBEY SCENERY 390. MARTIN-HARDY p.138. GORDON N.RAY 38. "The overlays in Repton's books on landscape gardening, by means of which he showed selected prospects before and after he had turned his hand to them, have caused collectors to treasure his engravings as curiosities, but they are remarkable as well for the excellence of his draftsmanship." TOOLEY, P.129. Modern, sympathetic full brown calf and marbled boards. AEG. Fine. Item #22475
Price: $10,500.00