1802, ISBN: 01f69b67d32ef3db9d3c89b08d4bb27f

London: printed for R. Blamire, in the Strand, 1792. Early Reprint. Quarter-Morocco. Near Fine. Fourth Edition (so stated). 8vo: xiii,[3],174,xi,[1]pp. Contemporary quarter black morocc… Plus…

London: printed for R. Blamire, in the Strand, 1792. Early Reprint. Quarter-Morocco. Near Fine. Fourth Edition (so stated). 8vo: xiii,[3],174,xi,[1]pp. Contemporary quarter black morocco over marbled boards, flat spine in six compartments between gilt rules, gilt urn stamped in each but second titled in gilt. An excellent copy, the binding holding firmly, the text block generally clean and bright with just occasional minor smudges and handling marks and a few stray spots of foxing. Barbier, pp. 24-27. Lowndes II 895. First published anonymously in 1768 (Gilpin's authorship was only revealed with the third edition, in 1781) as the first standard guide on print collecting in England, reaching a fifth edition in 1802. On the continent its influence spread through German, French and Dutch translations. Gilpin's "aim, as the title-page indicates, was to outline 'the Principles of picturesque Beauty, the Different Kinds of Prints, and the Characters of the most noted Masters'. . . . The Essay defines 'picturesque' as 'a term expressive of that peculiar kind of beauty, which is agreeable in a picture', but does not develop the definition." (ODNB) Among prints singled out for detailed consideration are Salvator Rosa's "Death of Polycrates," Waterloo's "Tobias," and Hogarth's "Rake's Progress." Finally, the collector is "cautioned against indulging a desire of becoming possessed of all the works of any master. . . . against a superstitious veneration for names. . . . [against] making the public taste our standard. . . [against] rat[ing prints'] value by their scarceness. . . [against] buying copies for originals," and against acquiring poor impressions. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, with dust jackets carefully preserved in archival, removable polypropylene sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed., printed for R. Blamire, in the Strand, 1792<

1792, ISBN: 01f69b67d32ef3db9d3c89b08d4bb27f

[SC: 14.54], [PU: London : printed for R. Blamire in the Strand], GENERAL ART REFERENCE PHOTOGRAPH, 4th Ed. xiii + [i] + 174pp. + xi + [i] Errata. With half title. Light browning, marbled… Plus…

[SC: 14.54], [PU: London : printed for R. Blamire in the Strand], GENERAL ART REFERENCE PHOTOGRAPH, 4th Ed. xiii + [i] + 174pp. + xi + [i] Errata. With half title. Light browning, marbled e.ps., inner gilt dentelles, contemporary mottled calf, intricate gilt tooling to edges of boards, joints sl. rubbed, gilt tooled bands and motifs with modern gilt lettered title label to sl. rubbed spine. ESTC T99005 ‘With a half-title.’William Gilpin (1724–1804) English artist, Church of England cleric, schoolmaster and author. Gilpin travelled widely in Britain, with his notebook and sketching materials, in order to identify locations which offered that particular kind of beauty in landscape 'which is agreeable in a picture'. Picturesque tourism constituted 'a new object of pursuit', as he wrote the practice recommended was 'that of not merely describing; but of adapting the description of natural scenery to the principles of artificial landscape'. US$184<