GILPIN, William (1724-1804)

[Scotland] Observations, relative chiefly to picturesque beauty, made in the year 1776, on several parts of Great Britain; particularly the high-lands of Scotland

London: printed for R. Blamire, Strand, M.DCC.XCII [1792]. Second Edition. Full Calf. Second Edition (first published in 1789) of this title from Gilpin's series applying his principles of picturesque beauty to the exploration of various British landscapes, in this case to the scenery of the Scottish highlands. Complete in two octavo volumes. viii,xii,221,[1]; [2],xvi,195,[1]pp, with 40 plates, of which 35 are hand-colored aquatints (including five plans) and five are soft-ground etchings. (In vol. II, "An Account of the Prints" and "Translation of Latin Passages," sometimes bound at the end, are here placed after the title page.) Early full calf, covers framed in blind with triple rules and roll tools; later flat spines, elaborately gilt in six compartments; maroon and green lettering pieces gilt; edges speckled brown, end papers renewed. A well-preserved set, bindings tight and square; occasional light scattered foxing; dark, richly detailed impressions of the plates, offset with some browning to adjacent leaves. Prideaux, p. 337. Abbey (Scenery) 487 (citing the third edition). Lowndes II 895. Cox, Travel III, p. 35-36. Near Fine+. Item #BB1502

Gilpin's Essay on Prints (first published anonymously, in 1768) set out his principles of picturesque beauty, defined "as ‘a term expressive of that peculiar kind of beauty, which is agreeable in a picture,' but does not develop the definition. That challenge was met in the series of books published between 1782 and 1809, all of which bore the same title format: Observations on [various regions of Britain] relative chiefly to picturesque beauty. This is the third in the series, following Observations on the River Wye (1782) and Observations in Cumberland and Westmoreland (1786). "The principles of the picturesque are here applied to Scottish scenery, which offers the author ample opportunity to correct the mistakes of Nature in matters of composition." (Cox) N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).

Price: $326.00