Boydell, John and Josiah. Early issue of Boydell's work on the rivers of Great Britain

BOYDELL, JOHN AND JOSIAH

AN HISTORY OF THE PRINCIPAL RIVERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. LONDON: W. BULMER AND CO. FOR JOHN AND JOSIAH BOYDELL, 1794-1796  

2 volumes, folio (416 x 310 mm), engraved frontispiece of Father Thames, general title pages and dedication to King George, folding engraved map of "The Course of the River Thames from its Source to the Sea" on two sheets, 76 hand-colored aquatint plates (3 folding), extra plate from another Boydell ("A View of the Ratcliffe Library...") inserted after vol. 1, p. 171; moderately foxed in parts, some offsetting to plates throughout, about 10 plates foxed, extra plate trimmed with loss to right side, vol. 2 folding plate after p. 246 repaired along center fold with loss. Modern half brown morocco over cloth, gilt ruled, spine gilt in 7 compartments, decorative paste paper endpapers.

Early issue of Boydell's work on the rivers of Great Britain 

Tooley notes: "There were early and late issues of this popular work the text of which is by William Combe. First issues have double titles, and these early impressions within aquatint borders are infinitely superior to later pulls. Poor and mediocre copies are relatively common, the work is almost invariably stained with offsets, and even the text is frequently spotted..." 

REFERENCE:

Abbey, Scenery 432; Tooley 102

PROVENANCE:

Sotheby's New York, 14 February 1986, Lot 204