Select Views of London. With Historical and Descriptive Sketches of some of the most Interesting of its Public Buildings.

First edition in book form of this splendidly illustrated account, in an appropriately luxurious binding. Published in Rudolph Ackermann's Repository of Arts between 1810 and 1815, the work is an excellent example of the publisher's output, which represented the best colour plate books of the period and remain important visual references for Regency design. The work is divided into the "Western" and "Eastern" Divisions, namely Westminster and the City of London. There are depictions of Westminster Abbey, Grosvenor Square, the British Museum, Whitehall Chapel, the Bank of England, Newgate, and the Old Bailey, as well as "representations of City churches and other topographical features now no longer in existence" (Prideaux). "Of particular topographical interest is the set of views of West End Squares. Select Views [also] topically records the ephemeral structures which appeared in the parks to celebrate the Peace of 1814" (Adams). Papworth entered the Royal Academy Schools in 1798, becoming "noted for his mastery of perspective and classical ornament. [His] contribution to the evolution of design is particularly important, spanning, as it does, the changes in taste and fashion that mark the transition from the late Georgian to the early Victorian period. This was a time which saw the emergence of a new group of patrons - bankers, industrialists, and businessmen - who were to constitute Papworth's main clients, and for whom he not only designed estates, villas, and business premises, but also handled the internal furnishing and decorations of these buildings, as well as landscaping of the gardens" (ODNB). Abbey Scenery 217; Adams 117; Prideaux pp. 144-7; Tooley 361. Imperial octavo in half-sheets (270 x 183 mm), pp. [viii], 160. With 76 hand-coloured aquatint or line-engraved plates (5 folding) by Stadler or Hamble after Papworth or Pugin. Early 20th-century red crushed morocco by Rivière, spine lettered in gilt, compartments gilt with elaborate frames and central tools, French fillet to boards enclosing the gilt arms of the City of London to front board, wide turn-ins with multiple gilt rolls, Turkish pattern marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, fore and bottom edges uncut. Bookplate of Chicago merchant Harry H. Blum (1878-1966). Binding bright, front joint repaired, light toning to contents. A near-fine copy. …