PBA Galleries

3 volumes. [4], ii, [2], 188, [2], 21; [6], 88, [2], 28, [2], 88; [6], 80, [2], 92, 16 pp. (Complete, including the sometimes lacking 2-page List of Plates found at end of Vol. 3.) With 100 different aquatint plates, each in two states (one hand-colored, the other uncolored) for a total of 200 plates, by T. Sutherland, D. Havell, R. Reeve, W.J. Bennett and others after C. Wild, J. Stephanoff, W. Westall and R. Cattermole, some of the colored plates heightened with gum arabic.(Folio) 32.5x26 cm (12¾x10¼"), modern full blued levant morocco ruled in gilt, spine decoratively tooled in gilt, raised bands, gilt inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, top edge gilt; bound by Frost & Co. First Edition.

A magnificent set of histories, descriptions, and engraved aquatint renderings of the homes of British royalty, with detailed views of both interiors and exteriors. The present copy is quite rare, in that the plates are in two states. Only one copy with the plates in two states, colored and uncolored, has sold at auction since 1975, according to American Book Prices Current, that in 1993. There was a copy sold in 1990 with the plates in three states, and a handful of copies have appeared with just the uncolored state of the plates. First recognized for his work as a painter, William Henry Pyne began a series of book collaborations in the early 1800s that led him increasingly into the role of author, particularly during a series of projects with the famous lithographer, Rudolph Ackermann. "It is not perhaps surprising that, being himself designer, painter, engraver and author, [Pyne] should become enamoured of book production. His great effort in this direction was the large and costly work entitled The History of the Royal Residences...undoubtedly a very sumptuous book for which author, artist, engraver and publisher alike did their best" - Prideaux. Royal Residences is among the finest and most famous of English color plate books, distinguished for the thorough descriptions by Pyne, the splendid work of the artists, and the stunning color of the aquatint plates. Abbey, Scenery 396. Prideaux, pp.142-43. Tooley 389.