The Seven Lamps of Architecture. With Illustrations, Drawn and Etched by the Author [Original Cloth] by RUSKIN, John (1819-1900) - 1849

London: Smith, Elder, and Co., 65 Cornhill, Spottiswoodes and Shaw, New-Street-Square [[through 1853], 1849. First Edition. Decorative Cloth. Near Fine+. First Printing of Ruskin's landmark work, the only printing in which all of the plates were "etched, as well as drawn, by Mr. Ruskin's own hand, a fact which adds very considerably to the interest and value of the book." (Wise; see preface to third edition of 1880 for Ruskin's comment) Royal 8vo (256 x 170mm): viii,[4],205,[1],16pp, with 14 (mostly) tissue-guarded plates and errata slip tipped in before "B." Original publisher's maroon cloth, covers decorated in blind (based on floor design of San Miniato, in Florence), spine lettered in gilt, top edge gilded, others rough-trimmed. Excellent repair to head of spine, else an excellent example, clean, bright and very fresh (occasional stain or finger-soiling to text, isolated areas of light foxing), with fine renditions of plates. Wise 4. Shepherd 24. The first of Ruskin's works to carry his name, and the first to be illustrated. The book's raison d'être, set out in the preface, is clear: "He wished to protect what survived, and draw from it certain principles which would influence the direction of the Gothic revival, notably towards the use of Gothic in secular buildings. His purpose was both to secularize and make protestant the movement, drawing it away from the Roman Catholic influence of Augustus Welby Pugin. His intervention was theoretical rather than practical: the 'lamps' of architecture were moral categories-sacrifice, truth, power, beauty, life, memory, and obedience. . . . but for Ruskin were manifested in particular Gothic buildings in Italy and northern France." (ODNB) N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, carefully preserved in archival, removable polypropylene sleeves. 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.).