The Stones of Venice

London: Smith, Elder, & Co., 1858-67. Cloth. Very Good. 10" by 6.5". John Ruskin. A very well preserved second edition of John Ruskin's important architectural and historical work, 'The Stones of Venice', beautifully illustrated throughout. Ruskin's important, hugely influential and detailed architectural treatise on Venetian art and architecture, examining numerous examples of Venetian architecture, including churches and monuments, and explores different styles of architecture, including Byzantine, Gothic, and Renaissance. Written by nineteenth-century English philosopher, art critic, and writer, John Ruskin. Ruskin wrote on numerous and varied topics, including ornithology, art, architecture, geology, education, botany, and more.Complete in three volumes.The second edition of this work, with Volume I having been published in 1858 and Volumes II and III having been published in 1867. Including fifty-three engraved plates, seven of which are hand coloured. Collated and complete. Volume I includes the half title as called for, Volume II and III did not call for half title pages.Two pages of adverts to the rear of Volume II. In the publisher's original embossed cloth binding. Externally, generally smart, with some bumping to the heads and tails of the spines and extremities, particularly to the spine of Volume I, resulting in a very small amount of loss to the cloth. A small split to the cloth at the head of the front joint on Volume III. Previous bookseller's small sticker to the front pastedown of each volume. Internally, binding is lightly strained in places. Light instances of spotting to some pages, though many pages do remain bright and clean. Very Good