67 HISTORY & CULTURE “The Fates Said To Them Be Kings Of Talent, But Not Of Talent Enough” (Thomas Carlyle) 89FOSTER, J.J. The Stuarts. London, 1902. Two volumes. Folio (10-1/2 by 15 inches), periodstyle full red morocco gilt. $4500 Signed limited first “Edition de Luxe,” one of only 175 copies signed by the author, with two hand-colored frontispiece portraits, over 90 folio plates (two hand-colored), and numerous in-text illustrations. “In the following pages an attempt is made to illustrate the characters, the persons, and some of the surroundings of the principal members of this ill-fated house; and, incidentally, of their friends and foes, from the days of James V. of Scotland down to those of Prince Charles Edward, in whose person the Stuarts may be said to have made their last appearance as a political force.” While these handsome folio volumes are focused on portraiture, the plates also include maps, scenes, and document facsimiles. As issued with occasional plates bound out of order. Interior very fresh with mere trace of scattered foxing. “His Italian Pictures… Are Considered Smith’s Best” 88(ITALY) SMITH, John. Select Views in Italy. London, 1792-96. Two volumes bound in one. Folio, contemporary full red straight-grain morocco gilt. $6800 First edition, profusely illustrated with engraved map of Italy and 72 beautiful engraved folio plates, splendidly bound in full contemporary morocco. Views include natural landscapes and “magnificent remains of antiquity,” after sketches by John Smith and others. Smith earned recognition as a topographical draughtsman and watercolorist; “the novelty and beauty of his work created much admiration” (DNB). “While staying in Derbyshire in 1775 Smith was introduced to George Greville, second earl of Warwick...Admiring some views of Matlock drawn by Smith, Warwick agreed to send him to Italy, where he met the artists William Pars, Thomas Jones, and Francis Towne... together they brought a new vividness to some of the finest drawings of the late 18th century... His Italian pictures, which he continued to produce for many years after his return to England, are considered Smith’s best. Between 1792 and 1799 he published Select Views in Italy” (ODNB). Map dated 1799. Some foxing to a few plates, chiefly marginal. A desirable copy in fine contemporary morocco.
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