"A DELIGHTFUL AND AMUSING BOOK," WITH 30 HAND-COLORED AQUATINT PLATES OF COTTAGES, VILLAS AND ORNAMENTAL BUILDINGS
THOMSON, J[ames]. Retreats: a Series of Designs, Consisting of Plans and Elevations for Cottages, Villas, and Ornamental Buildings. London: J. Taylor, 1833. Large quarto, contemporary marbled boards rebacked and recornered in crimson morocco, raised bands, black morocco spine label.
Second edition of this lovely collection of early 19th-century designs for cottages, villas and ornamental buildings, with 30 hand-colored aquatint plates and 11 engraved floor plans, in contemporary marbled boards.
"A delightful and amusing book in fine grain aquatint skillfully colored. An excellent example of quality in this class of colored aquatint is given in Plate 40, 'Water Gate'" (Abbey). "In 1826-27 Thomson acted as executant architect for Cumberland Terrace and Cumberland Place, Regent's Park. In 1838 he designed the Royal Polytechnic Institute, Regent Street, and in 1848 the theatre adjoining it. He also designed the new buildings at Clement's Inn, and the Polygraphic Hall, King William Street. In 1842 Thomson was involved in the planning of the Ladbroke estate development, Notting Hill… Thomson was one of the earliest members of the Institute of British Architects, elected 1835… He published Retreats: Designs for Cottages, Villas, and Ornamental Buildings (1827) and School Houses (1842)" (ODNB). Bound with half title. First published in 1827, this popular model book saw this second edition in 1833 and a third edition in 1840. See Abbey, Life 76; Prideaux, 353. Owner signature on title page dated 1839.
Some minor offsetting and marginal foxing, color plates generally clean, hand-coloring vivid; several of the engraved floor plans with light expert cleaning. A lovely, nicely restored copy in contemporary marbled boards.