Plans, Elevations and Sections, of Hot-Houses, Green-Houses, an Aquarium, Conservatories, &c. Recently Built in Different Parts of England, for various Noblemen and Gentlemen. By George Tod, Surveyor and Hot-House Builder. Including a Hot-House and Grren-House in her late Majesty's Gardens at Frogmore by TOD (George)

London: Published by J. Talor, at the Architectural Library, 1823. Folio (390 x 285 mm), 23, [1] + 8pp., publishers printed catalogue tipped-in at rear (closed tear repair to final leaf), without half-title, 27 hand-coloured aquatint plates including one double-page (numbered 1*, 1-26), title-page somewhat dust-soiled and with early ink inscription at upper margin now faint and indistinct, some old dampstaining to foremargins of a few early leaves including plate 1*, plate 2 dust-soiled and slightly frayed at extremities with marginal repairs to verso not affecting plate impression, recent expertly rebound in a period style, half calf, marbled boards, uncut, red morocco spine label lettered in gilt. These attractive and unusual plates, all actually executed and built to the author's design and to those of W. T. Aiton, gardener at Kew and Kensington Gardens, give overall views of the various hot-houses and conservatories together with transverse sections and detailed plans. His patrons are mainly in and around London, including a Green-house and Aquarium built for the Marquis of Blandford, a Pinery for Sir Joseph Banks, a Vinery built for the Earl of Coventry, a Flower-house for the Duke of Bedford at Woburn Abbey, a Green-house and a Hot-house in Her Majesty's Garden, etc. First published in 1807, the book evidently a success with a second edition appeared in 1812 followed by our 1823 edition, the plates retain the date of 1st September 1806. "Of George Tod himself very little is know, He describes himself as having selected the present designs 'from a great number, which have been executed by the author, who, in the course of a long experience, both in designing and executing buildings of this description, has been able to make many valuable improvements in their construction'. He was therefore evidently a professional garden designer of some repute, especially since he seems to have worked with the royal favourite William Townsend Aiton (1766-1849). Aiton was responsible for designing gardens for the Royal Pavilion at Brighton, and at Windsor Castle. From 1798 he was Gardener at Kew and Kensington..."—RIMA. Abbey, Life 77; RIBA, Early Printed Books, 3322; Tooley, 491.