PBA Galleries

3 volumes. [iv], iv, [3]-231, [2]; [iv], [iii]-vi, 230, [2]; iv, [iii]-iv, 280, [8] pp. 104 hand-colored aquatints by Rowlandson and Pugin. (Folio) 33x17 cm (13x10½") period full diced tan russia, Greek key borders, expertly rebacked with earlier gilt backstrips laid down, marbled endpapers. First Edition, early state.

Of the ten plates in Volume 1 discussed by Abbey as having appeared in multiple states, all but plates 3, 12, and 28 are in the first state in the present copy. Plate 39 in Volume 2 is in the second state, and plate 91 in Volume 3 is in the third state. These plates are, according to Abbey, extremely rare in the first state, and plate 91 is rare in either the first or second state. Tooley discussed three further variations not mentioned by Abbey, of these plates 4 and 17 are in Tooley's first state and plate 21 is in his second state. The errata are uncorrected in the text but for 'coustom' on page 218 of the first volume which has been corrected to 'custom' which suggests that this copy was bound from the original parts. The contents leaf in Volume 1 is in the first state, without the words "Vol. I", the watermarks in the three volumes are 1806, 1807, 1808, & 1809. Later copies are known with watermarks as late as 1836. Tooley describes the present work as "one of the great colour-plate books, and a carefully selected copy should form the corner stone of an collection of books on this subject. The plates by Rowlandson an Pugin present an unrivalled picture of London in the early 19th century..." Sets in an early state, such as this copy, are particularly sought after. Tooley further comments that he had never seen a copy with all plates and text in the first state. Tooley p. 19, Abbey Scenery 212.