first edition Half Calf
1816 · London
by Ackermann, Rudolph
London: R. Ackermann, 1816. First Edition, Second Issue. Half Calf. Very Good Plus. Large Paper Edition, one of 50 such copies produced. Large 4to, Folio-dimensioned. 41.5 by 34 cm. 48 hand-colored aquatint plates, 44 of which are views, four, costume. Pagination is separate for each of the schools: vi (including list of subscribers), [2], 56, 72, 27, [1], 32, 34, 22, 40, 34, 43 pp. The greatest number of plates are devoted to Eton and Winchester, which get ten each, with the other schools genreally receiving five each. The plates capture the architectural glory of these institutions, as well as the romance that had already gathered around them, with nary an acknowledgment of the underside of their strict and spartan regime. More modern half calf navy blue binding by Rene Patron. Endpapers with fleur-dy-lys pattern. Condition: binding with some scuffs, and fading/rubbing of color on spine. Very occasional marginal soiling. Mostly clean, tight. A beautiful copy overall.
(Inventory #: 007164)