Principles of the science of colour

1868. BENSON, William. Principles of the Science of Colour concisely stated to aid and promote their useful Application in the Decorative Arts. x, 48 pp., illustrated with 6 uncoloured lithographs, 4 text illustrations of which 2 are hand-coloured and 5 plates with mounted coloured circle patterns. 4to, 275 x 210 mm., bound in contemporary morocco-backed cloth, spine rubbed. London: Chapman & Hall, 1868-[1876]. First edition, second issue, of this elegant and unusual book. The colour plates in this issue are the same as in the first except that instead of being hand-coloured they are made of circular coloured paper samples mounted by hand. "Benson, an architect, published his unique cube-shaped color solid in 1868. Benson's cube model stands on end with a black to white vertical axis ... Benson's elegant diagrams, along with hand-colored plates, show how the cube may be sliced to reveal the colors that form the interior. He cites Mayer, Runge, and Chevreul as sources for his theories, but criticizes Field as being "too hasty." - Color Documents No. 27. Herbert also comments on the book: "Author's color standard based on a cube tipped on a point, and incorporating the then recent theories of Maxwell and Helmholtz" ("A Color Bibliography, II" in Yale Library Gazette, 1977, p. 143). An unusually clean copy of this work which is usually found with substantial foxing, tear in the gutter of one text page not effecting the text. With a prize bookplate and gilt stamp on the front cover. Birren Catalogue No. 34.