- 25
Campbell, Colen
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
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Description
- Campbell, Colen
- Vitruvius Britannicus, or The British Architect, containing the plans, elevations, and sections of the regular buildings, both publick and private, in Great Britain [with the continuation by John Woolfe and James Gandon]. London: (vol.3) sold by the author and by Joseph Smith, 1725-1771
- Paper
5 volumes, folio (518 x 338mm.), 2 engraved title-pages (BAL RIBA states E and D, without imprint) in volumes 1-2, letterpress title-page in red and black in volume 3, engraved title-pages in volumes 4-5, engraved dedications in volumes 1, 4 and 5, text and captions in English and French, 84 engraved plates (14 double-page) + 74 engraved plates (17 double-page or folding) + 73 engraved plates (23 double-page or folding) + 79 engraved plates (19 double-page, with duplicate of plate 45) + 77 engraved plates (23 double-page), nineteenth-century red morocco gilt, spines elaborately gilt in compartments with green morocco lettering-pieces, gilt edges, small rust-hole in plate 80 of vol.1, small tear in plate 88 of vol.3, a few plates in vol.5 shaved at edges
Provenance
Beriah Botfield, Longleat, sale, Christie's, 13 June 2002, lot 81
Literature
BAL RIBA 3545 (second edition of volumes 1-2), 3546 (volume 3), 3711 (volumes 4-5); Harris 101, 99, 945
Condition
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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
A fine and complete set of Campbell's collection of plates depicting the finest of Britain's country houses, together with some of Campbell's own unfulfilled designs, with elevations, floor plans and some estate plans. The volumes form a showcase of the English Palladian style, and the first volume was initially rushed through the press because of competition with Leoni's English edition of Palladio, also published in 1715. At Campbell's death in 1729 three volumes were complete, then in 1765 Woolfe and Gandon announced the publication of an additional volume. They found sufficient subscribers to produce a fifth volume in 1771, but a projected sixth volume ("in great forwardness", as it states in volume 5) never appeared, as Gandon's work as a practising architect increased.