GIBBS, James.

A Book of Architecture, containing Designs of Buildings and Ornaments.

London: Printed 1728. Large folio, pp.[4], xxviii, with 150 engraved plates; a few spots and stainsin the text, last 10 plates with small waterstain to lower margin, only 2 just touching the plate, but generally a large clean copy in modern half calf with red morocco label. Bookplate of Philip Grantham Yorke. First edition of 'the first collection of the work of a single architect to be published in Britain' (RIBA Cat.). Gibbs's work had been omitted from Vitruvius Britannicus (1715-25) and he was determined to produce an advertisement of his own built work on a grandiose scale. The book was printed by Bowyer in 550 copies of which 481 were accounted for by the subscribers. At four guineas a copy it had a restricted but highly influential market among noblemen and country gentlemen, architects and landscape gardeners. The Book of Architecture illustrated churches, collegiate buildings at Cambridge, country houses, temples and garden structures, along with details of chimney pieces, doorcases, cartouches, tables and pedestals which were eagerly exploited by local builders and craftsmen. RIBA, Early Printed Books, 1206; Harris 257.

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• ordernr.: A1176

• bookseller: Bernard Quaritch Ltd. (GREAT BRITAIN)