laing david plaw john (1 Ergebnisse)

Hardcover. Zustand: Good. 1st Edition. ILLUSTRATED COTTAGES, WITH COSTS FIRST EDITION of second. Royal 4to. 3 works in 1. I: pp. vii, [9]-15, [1] + 34 leaves of plates; II: pp. 18, [2, bookseller s catalogue] + 42 leaves of plates; III: pp. [4], 13, [1], [4, bookseller s advertisement] + 38 leaves of plates. I: 34 aquatints (with tissue guards) of plans and façades of cottages, farm-houses and villas. Occasional minor marginal foxing, small stain to inner blank margin of pl.14, affecting slightly blank portion of pl.15, ms 96 plates in pencil at head of title, ms casemarks in pencil and ink to verso. II: 42 aquatints (with tissue guards) of plans, façades and views of cottages. Plates just toned to blank margins, little spots to outer blank margin of pl.11, 24 and 25. III: 38 aquatints, each with tissue guard, of gates, paddocks, plans, dog kennels, pavilions and rural ornamental buildings. Light age yellowing, a dozen plates marginally foxed, repaired tear to blank of pl.21. Good copies in contemporary mottled half calf over marbled boards, corners worn, spine gilt, gilt-lettered morocco label, joints cracked but firm. Contemporary bookseller s or binder s ms account to front ep. A charmingly illustrated collection of popular works on country cottage and smaller country house architecture and landscaping, all published c.1800 with a total of 114 elegant aquatints. In the late C18 and early C19 the growing middle class became a ready market for books of picturesque designs for modest cottages and villas suitable for country retreats , resorts and suburbs. Many authors addressed their books directly to potential clients (Archer, p.21). David Laing (1774 1856), pupil of Soane, famously oversaw the building of the New Customs House in London, which, after only a couple of years, started showing cracks and eventually collapsed. Before this event, which ruined his career, he devoted himself to private houses, Hints of Dwellings being inspired by his practice. Here, he focuses on country cottages, farm-houses and villas, with the odd excursion into town houses, providing illustrations of façades with lawns and plans. He was aware many gentlemen reading his work would wonder about estimates and expenses, which he refused to put on paper (to avoid Error and false Conclusions ), adding he would be happy to answer specific private enquiries. In this work, Laing suggested that the character of a dwelling should suit the needs of the inhabitant s social situation , e.g., luxury and display in grand villas (Archer, pp.50-1). John Plaw (1745-1820) was active in the 1780s and 90s, as an architect exhibiting his drawings at the Royal Academy of Arts and author of illustrated books focused on rural buildings, with a preference for classical circular designs. He was the first British architect to employ aquatint as a means of book illustration , from 1785, a technique that greatly expanded the available range of tones and textures for illustrating buildings and scenery (Archer, pp.31, 107). Sketches for Country Houses , here in its first edition, is entirely devoted to country houses, villas and rural dwellings, calculated for persons of moderate income, and for comfortable retirement . It also includes designs for cottages which may be constructed of the simplest materials . Plaw listed the cost of building material from bricks to lime, sand, types of timber and labour at the end of his preface. I: BAL 1715; Archer 170.1. II: BAL 2581; Archer 261.1; ESTC t102011; Lowndes III, 1881. III: ESTC N9750; Archer, 259.2. Not in BAL.