WITH 62 BEAUTIFUL ENGRAVED PLATES OF CLASSIC VASES FROM THE COLLECTION OF SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON, LATER DONATED TO THE BRITISH MUSEUM

HAMILTON, Sir William. Outlines from the Figures and Compositions upon the Greek, Roman, and Etruscan Vases of the Late Sir William Hamilton; with Engraved Borders Drawn and Engraved by the late Mr. Kirk. London: William Miller, 1804. Quarto, modern three-quarter calf, marbled boards. $1650.

First edition of this survey of classical vases, with 62 beautiful engravings of Greek, Roman, and Etruscan vases, with accompanying text describing illustrations as well as characters portrayed, handsomely bound.

Sir William Hamilton, "one of the first Englishmen who collected and appreciated Greek vases," sold his collection of vases to the British Museum in 1772, thereby "forming the groundwork of the present department of Greek and Roman Antiquities" (DNB). Hamilton resumed collecting in 1787 after having renounced it in 1772. His first collection is described in D'Hancarville's Antiquites etrusques, grecques et romains, 1766-7; the second collection is presented in W. Tischbein's Collection of Engravings from Greek Vases, 1791. This work, Outlines, brings together selections from the two previously published works. Illustrations of Hamilton's vases influenced the works of Josiah Wedgwood. Lowndes, 989.

Text and plates with minor dampstaining to a few margins, generally clean and bright.