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Three Architectural Offerings

Plans, Elevations and Sections of Buildings, Executed in the Counties of Norfolk, Suffolk,
Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Hertfordshire, Et Caetera.

John Soane

London, Messrs. Taylor at the Architectural Library, Holbern
1788

John Soane, 1753-1837, English architect, specialized in the Neo-Classical style, trained under George Dance the Younger and then Henry Holland. He studied at the Royal Academy Schools and won the Academy’s Silver Medal in 1722 and the Gold Medal in 1776. Most famously known for his design of the Bank of England, this publication of his drawings preceded that commission and firmly established his reputation. He founded the Soane Museum in London, and was knighted in 1831.

This first edition, folio volume contains 47 engraved plates of plans, and was published for 180 subscribers, all listed, including William Pitt, Robert Adam, Lord Mulgrave, Thomas Leverton and John Throckmorton. This volume contains Soane’s dedication to the King, and his 11 page discourse on architecture. This is a rare and significant volume, in very good condition.

The Ruins of Balbec,
Otherwise Heliopolis in Coelosyria

Robert Wood

London, 1757

First edition, London, 1757, with 47 copper engraved plates, many double page or folding, and one engraving of inscriptions within text. Elephant folio, full contemporary calf rebacked in period style, gilt tooled panels with label.
There is some browning and foxing to the plates, but the book is still in very good condition.

The plates were engraved by Fourdrinier after drawings by Borra. An important record of the ruins’ contemporary state prior to being damaged by earthquake, and a significant architectural pattern for future generations
of architects. A most impressive, rare, very import and stunning folio.

Reimpression de l’Architecture Francaise

Jacques-Francois Blondel

Paris: Librarie Centrale Des Beaux-Arts
c1900

Four elephant folios, 500 plates, many double, triple and quadruple fold. High quality reproductions of original drawings. Bound in fine original three-quarter leather with marbled boards and endpapers. Raised bands on gilt decorated spines, gilt top edges, bindings and hinges tight. Text in French.

Jacques-Francois Blondel was one of the most influential figures in eighteenth century architecture, and his l’Architecture Francaise, which took him four years to complete, earned him an appointment
as architect to Louis XV in 1755.

A significant and most impressive set of architectural folios.

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