Vitruvius Britannicus collection

DESIGNATION:

10-

SIZE:

2 vol.

COLLECTION DATES:

1725-1771

PROVENANCE:

RESTRICTIONS:

None

FINDING AIDS:

Inventory, catalog cards, and ARCAT

Scope and Content

Unbound plates from two volumes of the highly influential Vitruvius Britannicus.  Both volumes appear to be first editions.

Vol. 3, published by Colen Campbell in 1725, contains 6 leaves of printed text (pages [1]-12, including title page, dedication, list of subscribers, explanation of the plates, and contents) followed by 74 engraved plates (50 single-page plates and 24 double-page plates).  The plates bear numbers p. 3-100; the double-page plates have two numbers each.  51 x 33 cm. and 51 x 68 cm.  The contents are the same as the Fowler Collection's copy (see the Fowler catalog, p. 63).  The copy reprinted by Blom in 1967 contains an additional double-page plate, numbered p. 101-102.

Vol. 5, published by John Woolfe and James Gandon in 1771, contains 75 engraved plates (52 single-page plates and 23 double-page plates) bearing numbers 3-100; the double-page plates have two numbers each.  The title page and dedication (pls. 1-2) and printed text (list of subscribers and explanation, pp. 1-10) are missing.  50 x 34 cm. and 50 x 71 cm.

The plates of both volumes have water damage: stains and mold.  Some are torn.  Fragments are missing.