[Hand-Colored] The History of the Abbey Church of St. Peter's Westminster, Its Antiquities and Monuments in Two Volumes by ACKERMANN, R[udolph]., 1764-1834 [William Combe, 1742-1823] - 1812

London: Printed for R. Ackermann, 101, Strand, by L. Harrison and J. C. Leigh, 373, Strand, 1812. First Edition. Full Calf. Near Fine+. Large 4to (332 x 265mm): xviii,330,[6]; [4],275,[5]pp, with 80 hand-colored aquatint plates of stained glass, mosaics, tombs, monuments, and architectural details; hand-colored line engraving; plan of the church, and engraved portrait of William Vincent. Complete with both half titles and list of subscribers; text by William Combe and plates after F. Mackenzie, A. Pugin, and others. Full contemporary tree calf (neatly rebacked), spine in six compartments between raised bands ruled and rolled in gilt, two morocco lettering piece gilt, all edges marbled, engraved armorial book plate of William Popham of Oriel College and later incumbent of Christ Church, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire. An excellent, square set, beautifully bound, several quires foxed or toned, virtually all plates offset onto opposing pages, else a bright, wide-margined example. Hardie, p. 103-04. Abbey (Scenery) 213 and 214. Tooley 2. Adams 108. Prideaux, p. 331. So-called Second Issue (with first plate in v. 2, Aymer de Valance, signed in error "A. Pugin" instead of "F. Mackenzie" (as Abbey's copy). Originally published in sixteen monthly numbers. Ackermann intended The History of the Abbey Church as a "companion and continuation" of his magnificent Microcosm of London. (Hardie) "A book that should be highly rated both as an exhaustive pictorial record of the Abbey and for its individual architectural plates, beautifully composed and aquatinted with the addition of discreet colour just sufficient to suggest the cloistered intimacy of sunlight filtered by lofty windows onto fretted stone, wood and metal." (Adams). N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).