Stuart, James and Nicholas Revett

4 volumes, folio (525 x 353mm.), engraved portrait of Stuart in volume 2, engraved portrait of Revett in volume 4, 317 engraved plates, plans and maps by J. Basire, C. Grignion, J. Newton, W. Skelton and others after Stuart, Revett, W. Pars, W. Reveley and others, including a hand-coloured folding map of Greece in volume 3, a few other plates and maps double-page or folding, etched title vignettes, head- and tailpieces and engraved illustrations, early nineteenth-century brown morocco gilt by C. Smith, central Botfield arms on covers, surrounded by concentric borders gilt of fillets with corner rosettes, palmettes and interlocking circles, spine gilt in seven compartments, lettered in two, gilt edges, volume 1 without the subscribers' list and with a few text leaves lightly wormed at margins, preliminaries in volume 4 browned

Beriah Botfield, Longleat, arms gilt on covers, sale, Christie’s, 13 June 2002, lot 119

BAL RIBA 3183-3186; Blackmer 1017; Cicognara 2713; Fowler 340; Harris 857

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A fine copy of the first accurate survey of the classical buildings of Athens, through the influence of which the Greek style was established in English architecture. John Summerson has described it as “one of the three most important architectural travel books of the century” (the other two being Wood’s Ruins of Palmyra - see lot 142 - and Adam’s Palace of Diocletian at Spalatro). Stuart and Revett’s visit to Athens was made in 1751 at the instigation of the Society of Dilettanti. Stuart was responsible for the measured drawings, Revett for the topographical views.