The Beauties of Antiquity; or, Remnants of Feudal Splendour and Monastic Times.

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Fifty-two small, but highly impressive and atmospheric views of ruined castles and abbeys of medieval England. 2 parts in 1, 1st ed, 1807. Contemporary half calf over worn blue marbled boards, corners & edges worn. Spine, gilt tooling & titles, edges bumped, worn along joints. Internally, frontis, [8], [1], 2-104 pp, [20] index, One (of two) engraved titles with aquatint vignette, & 52 pls, some erratic foxing, offsetting & edge browning, bookplate & label to fpd, evidence of bookplate removal to fep, many plates dated 1806, text paper water marked 1806. (136*222 mm). (Abbey 13). The lack of one engraved title is a pity, but it is interesting to note that the one which is present is dated 1 May 1807, in most copies, including the Abbey copy, the engraved titles are dated 1 Jan 1810, The significance of this phenomenon is uncertain. In addition the Abbey collation lists Plate 22 as Haverford West Priory, but in this copy that plate, and its accompanying text, depict Walsingham Chapel. Might this copy derive from a very early issue? (Abbey Scenery 13). Hassell - water colour painter and engraver, exhibited twenty paintings at the Royal Academy between 1789 and 1819, including many scenes of waterfalls, castles, and salmon leaps in Wales, and of houses and cities, including a view of the city of Bath (exh. 1796). (ONDB)