“A MASSIVE COMPENDIUM”: FIRST EDITION OF ISAAC WARE’S COMPLETE BODY OF ARCHITECTURE, 1756, WITH 113 FINE LARGE FOLIO ENGRAVED PLATES, INCLUDING THE DESIGNS OF INIGO JONES

WARE, Isaac. A Complete Body of Architecture. Adorned with Plans and Elevations, from Original Designs… In which are interspersed Some Designs of Inigo Jones, never before published. London: Printed for T. Osborne and J. Shipton et al., 1756. Tall, thick folio (11 by 16-1/2 inches), modern half calf, contemporary marbled boards, raised bands.

First edition of this magnificent treasury of architecture, “one of the best known of 18th-century architectural text-books,” with engraved frontispiece and 113 (of 114) finely engraved architectural plates, many folding, and including many designs of the great 17th-century architect Inigo Jones.

The magnum opus of Isaac Ware, independent architect and draughtsman to the board of Windsor and Greenwich, later master of the Carpenter’s Company. “A massive compendium, this volume codified the existing mid-18th-century ideas on architecture, summarizing Burlingtonian Palladian tendencies, but including as well a variety of other views… Ware makes his aim clear in his preface, stating that ‘by these means we hope to lay down in one body the whole science of architecture, from its rudiments to its utmost perfection; and that in a manner which shall render every part of it intelligible to every reader” (Avery). Ware also published in 1735 the Designs of Inigo Jones and, in 1738, his famous edition of Palladio. Included are sections on building materials, climate and soil conditions for building, essential and ornamental parts of buildings, general architectural building and decorative practices, the construction of houses and bridges, and “the sciences and arts subservient to architecture.” First state, with all plate numbers inside the frame; “Warwick Shire” for “Berk Shire” on plate 70-71; and the following plates unnumbered: the second plate 110-111, the design for Westminster Bridge, both plates 112 and 114-122. With engraved vignette on title page. With explanatory note tipped in before the plate “Mouldings of the Iconick Entablature and Attick Base Explained” (facing page 24). Without plate 95. Fowler 436. Avery 180. Harris, 906. BMC 26:693. Colvin 649. Kruft, 244. Bookplates. Pencil owner signature. Pencil shelf number.

A few plates slightly creased, occasional closed marginal tears, tiny marginal wormhole, expertly repaired closed tear to plate 55, light scattered foxing to interior, only minor rubbing to binding. A near-fine copy.