Specimens of Mediaeval Architecture Chiefly Selected from Examples of the 12th and 13th centuries in France & Italy and drawn by W. Eden Nesfield, Architect, London.

Specimens of Mediaeval Architecture by William Eden Nesfield is an impressive folio study of twelfth and thirteenth century architecture in France and Italy, illustrated with 100 full-page plates drawn by the author. Published in 1862, the work reflects Nesfield's early architectural interests before his later reputation as an important Victorian architect and designer. Combining documentary precision with strong visual appeal, this substantial plate book remains an attractive record of medieval architectural detail and design. Specimens of Mediaeval Architecture Chiefly Selected from Examples of the 12th and 13th centuries in France & Italy and drawn by W. Eden Nesfield, Architect, London. Published by Day and Son, London, January 1862. First edition. A substantial folio sized hardback with printed chestnut cloth covers with  onset pictorial image on a lighter background. Covers have been rebacked onto a more recent brown cloth spine with printed title. Now soundly bound with new endpapers. Original cloth on covers with some wear and imperfections, but now nicely presented. Provenance: Loosely inserted is the original armorial bookplate associated with book, which belonged to Somerset physician, antiquary and book collector Henry William Livett (1814-1901). Livett has additionally mounted a contemporary newspaper obituary notice of the author, William Eden Nesfield (1835-1888), beneath his bookplate. Overall the book is in good condition - there is significant foxed spotting to the first and last few pages of the book, but then the vast majority of the plates are bright and clear with just lighter scattered spots. There is a light water stain at the top of the book on either side of the gutter, but marks are restricted to the top margin area and don't affect contents. Title page has a trailed adhesion mark - possible remains of a dribble of glue. Imperfect, but still an attractive and impressive volume. Text in English. (9) Prelims & Index + 100 full page plates (printed on one side of the paper only). All plates as called for. Dimensions: approx 436mm high x 311mm wide x 30mm deep. Weight: approximately 2.25kg (unpacked).…