“CHANGE AND VARIETY IS AS MUCH A NECESSITY… IN BUILDINGS AS IN BOOKS”

AUDSLEY, William and AUDSLEY, George Ashdown. Cottage, Lodge, and Villa Architecture. London, Glasgow, Edinburgh: William Mackenzie, circa 1868-1870. Folio (13 by 18 inches), contemporary three-quarter brown calf expertly rebacked, raised bands, burgundy morocco spine and board labels, marbled boards. $1800.

First edition of this popular guide to architecture, complete with 91 lithographic plates on 90 sheets.

"By the time the Audsley brothers had established their architectural practice in the early 1860s, the Gothic Revival was a popular choice for churches and dwellings. By the 1870s, large public buildings, hotels, railroad stations, and offices were being designed in the style" (David H. Fox). In this survey of domestic architecture, the Audsleys combine history and practical advice, providing information on when various styles were introduced into Britain and on how they were adapted for use in the middle of the 19th century. The handsome lithographic plates depict an assortment of building structures, complete with elevations and floor plans, as well as details of such specific components as columns, gables, and mantlepieces. "The true Gothic revivalist does not desire to see, by a servile copyism of ancient buildings, the comforts and indispensable requirements of modern civilization done away with or even modified, but rather desires to elevate his art by making it subservient to every end, and by molding it to suit the every day wants of time" (page 3). Lithographic red-and-black title page. Plates bound in numeric order, rather than as listed in the Table of Contents. Numbering omits Plates 62, 69-74, as issued, but adds Plates 4A-10A, 28A-B, 51A, and 54A (4A and 5A together on one sheet).

Lithographic impressions crisp. Dampstain to lower right corner of text block, light foxing to text, and a few wormholes. Contemporary binding moderately rubbed. A very good copy.