Travels through Spain, in the Years 1775 and 1776. In which Several Monuments of Roman and Moorish Architecture are illustrated by Accurate Drawings taken on the Spot [R. J. Hayhurst's copy]

London: Printed for P. Elmsly, in the Strand, 1779. Half-Calf. Fine. A superb First Edition (in period binding) of this account of a sojourn to Spain, "an exact investigation of the soil, cultivation, government, commerce, and manners." 4to (283 x 220mm): xv,[1],427,[15]pp, with folding engraved map and 18 plates (five folding) of archaeological monuments and Moorish architecture, including several views of the Alhambra. Period brown half calf over marbled boards, flat spine divided by gilt bands into six compartments with central floral devices, black morocco lettering piece gilt, edges marbled. Later book plate of Robert J. Hayhurst, who was a keen collector of eighteenth-century literature in fine contemporary bindings. A wide-margined, virtually pristine example (scattered occasional foxing and offsetting) with rich impressions of the plates. Cox I, p. 151 (quoting DNB: "The plates are of great excellence. His drawings were faithful to fact and elegant in design.") Palau XXII: 325909 (noting the "plates on special thick paper with wide margins"). Graesse VI, p. 535. Brunet V, 604. The deaths of Swinburne's father, mother, and eldest brother left him financially independent, and in 1763 he traveled to Italy, visiting the art treasures and antiquities of Turin, Genoa, and Florence. His travels continued in 1775, to Spain, in the company of Sir Thomas Gascoigne, resulting in this account, enhanced with plates from Swinburne's drawings (half of them etched by Swinburne himself). 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.).