Stalker, John — George Parker

Folio (14 3/8 x 9 1/8 in.; 365 x 230 mm). 24 engraved plates of oriental designs, showing plants, animals, architecture and people. Contemporary calf. Rebacked, back cover retained by one band only, rubbed; title slightly soiled, some very small tears in margins, 3 plates trimmed short, small tear on lower right corner of plate 6 not affecting the illustration, restoration on lower margin of plate 15.

William Twemlow of Hatherton (bookplate)

First edition

The earliest book in English on the subject, described by H.D. Molesworth as "a work of art in its own right - as readily accepted for its literary content as for its technical information". Parker and Stalker's book effectively introduced the processes described to Western craftsmen, and through them to their clientele, thereby changing the face of European interior decoration.

This model book for decorative furniture and "smalls" contains a comprehensive account of lacquering techniques of the period and a suite of 24 plates by an anonymous artist, engraved with over sixty designs of flowers, birds, insects, and landscapes in the oriental manner. Copies are frequently incomplete owing to the author-s suggestion to remove the patterns for use as transfers. Consequently, the book is a great rarity, particularly when found complete.