ACKERMANN'S SPLENDIDLY ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF CAMBRIDGE, WITH SUPERB HAND-COLORED PLATES

ACKERMANN, Rudolph. A History of the University of Cambridge, Its Colleges, Halls and Public Buildings. London: for R. Ackermann, 1815. Two volumes. Large quarto (11-1/2 by 14 inches), contemporary full green morocco rebacked with original elaborately gilt-decorated spines and covers preserved, watered silk endpapers, all edges gilt. $9200.

First edition of this illustrated history of Cambridge University, complete with 95 superb hand-colored aquatint plates, handsomely bound in contemporary morocco-gilt.

Ackermann's beautiful History of the University of Cambridge features an engraved uncolored portrait of the Duke of Gloucester and 79 hand-colored plates (64 aquatint views and 15 engravings of university figures in academic costume) after Pugin, Westall, Mackenzie, Uwins, and Pyne. This copy complete with the additional series of 16 hand-colored engraved portraits of the Founders, which were printed and issued separately, to be bound up with the rest of the work if desired. "The fine aquatints, with their somewhat old-world flavor, are well suited to reproduce the spirit and to recall the antique associations of the old quads and courts" (Prideaux). This work was originally issued in two formats, the present large quarto size and also in a large-paper elephant folio size; both were originally issued in 20 parts. This copy early issue, with plates watermarked 1812. Complete with half titles. Abbey, Scenery, 79-80. Prideaux, 125-26 and 332. Tooley 4. Engraved armorial bookplate; dealer's penciled annotations to verso of front free endpaper (blank).

Occasional offsetting, foxing to a few signatures in Volume II, not affecting plates. Some minor scuffs and expert restoration to beautiful morocco gilt bindings.