An History of the Principal Rivers of Great Britain

London: printed by W. Bulmer and Co. for John and Josiah Boydell, 1794-96. 2 vols. Folio (16 3/8" x 12 1/4", 415mm x 305mm). With 76 hand-colored aquatint plates, 3 folding, engraved by Joseph Constantine Stadler with drawings by Joseph Farington, RA. With 2 folding panoramic maps of the course of the Thames from its source to the sea by John Cook of Hendon. William Combe (1742-1823) wrote the text. Half brown morocco over brown boards, gilt. On the spine, 6 raised bands, gilt. Author and title gilt to second panel, volume to the fourth and decoration to the rest. Brown floral, striped endpapers. Each volume housed in a brown fabric slipcase. Boards pristine. Light off-setting, foxing, tanning and finger staining throughout. Volume 1 with printed dedication to George III and the Earl of Oxford. Frontispiece Tamesis ("Father Thames") sculpted by J. Parker after the originals by M. Damer. Vol. I, page 171, extra plate from another Boydell work. Vol II, page 246 plate repaired. The project was intended to be part of a larger series of British Rivers, but only the Thames was completed. It follows the River from its source in Gloucestershire to the North Sea, illustrating the scenery and architecture along the way.…