Delineations of Fonthill and its Abbey

Charles Knight & Co., Shaftesbury, first edition, large-paper copy, 1823,. Half-leather and marbled boards, leather spine-label, 4to,. xxvi, 127 pp, 13 plates (as called for - but without the additional plate sometimes found), folding plan, genealogical tables, list of subscribers, text illustrations. A complete copy of Rutter's appealing and timely work on William Beckford's extraordinary creation at Fonthill Abbey : within just two years of the book's publication the Abbey's huge tower was to come crashing down leading to the demolition of the Abbey buildings shortly afterwards. This copy has all the "embellishments" listed by Rutter within the book, arranged as intended there, including the three coloured aquatints ( the frontispiece/plate VIII : Altar Piece, Plate VII: Interior of St Michael's Gallery and Plate VI : King Edward's Gallery), the 10 black-and-white plates and the folding plan "Fonthill Domain". Also present are the three genealogical tables and the List of subscribers. It does not have the additional plate sometimes found. [Abbey, Scenery : 418] Pencil signature of Robert Loder on front free endpaper. An attractive large-paper copy with the uncommon List of Subscribers. Old reback with green leather spine and corners, rear board slightly scratched, folding plan detached, contents otherwise Very Good.