Modern Athens! Displayed In A Series Of Views: Or Edinburgh In The Nineteenth Century: Exhibiting The Whole Of The New Buildings, Modern Improvements, Antiquities, And Picturesque Scenery, Of The Scottish Metropolis And Its Environs, From Original Drawings, By Mr. Thomas H. Shepherd. With Historical, Topographical, And Critical Illustrations.
RA Collection: Book
Record number
06/3012
Variant Title
Scotland Illustrated
Imprint
London:: Published By Jones & Co. Temple Of The Muses, Finsbury Square., 1829. (-1831)
Physical Description
[2], vi, 88, [84] p., add. engr. t.pl., [88] leaves of plates (each carrying 2 or 3 prints); 269 mm. (Folio.)
General Note
[Add. t.pl., t.p., dedic.] - Preface - List Of Engravings - [Paginated text with pl.] - [Unpaginated text with pl.] - List Of Engravings Of Noblemen And Gentlemen's Seats.
Responsibility Note
Most plates in the part on Edinburgh are signed as drawn by Tho. H. Shepherd; most in the part on 'Scotland Illustrated' are signed as drawn by J.P. Neale, one by S. Lacey, one by H. Gastineau. Most plates are signed by engravers - W. Wallis, T. Berber, W.H. Lizars, T. Higham, J. Henshall, J. Rolph, W. Tombleson, S. Lacey, James B. Allen, A. Cruse, W. Watlins, J. Hinchliff, A. McClatchie, J. Redaway, W.H. Bond (or H.W. Bond), E. Stalker, J. Johnstone, W. Radcliffe (or Radclyffe), A. Fox, Letitia Byrne, E. Byrne, E.I. Roberts, R. Acon, F.R. Hay, W. Deeble, T.H. Shepherd, W. Faithorn, H. Adlard, T. Goode, J.C. Varrall, J. Rogers, J. Garner, H. Jerden, J. Greig, S. Fisher.
Almost all plates carry the publishers' imprint of Jones and Company and the date of publication.
The title-page vignette is signed as drawn by T.H. Shepherd and engraved by Mary Byfield.
The printer is named on the title-page verso: 'J. Haddon, Printer, Castle Street, Finsbury.'
The work is dedicated by John Britton to Sir Walter Scott, Bart.
References
RIBA, Early printed, 4 (2001), no. 2999, p.1848-9; M. Holloway, Steel engravings in nineteenth-century British topographical books: a bibliography (1977), p.150-152.
M. Andrews, The search for the picturesque (1989).
Summary Note
A note at the foot of the List Of Engravings states, 'A Sequel, intended to bind with this Work, is now publishing, as "Scotland Illustrated;" comprising interesting and beautiful Views of the Castles, Noblemen and Gentlemen's Seats, Romantic and Picturesque Scenery, &c.' The present work has this sequel bound in (it comprises 40 leaves of plates and 84 pages of text). The publication-date of 1829 is that given on the title-page and on the added engraved title-plate; but the plates carry various dates between 1829 and 1831.
The title-page carries a wood-engraving showing the Scottish regalia.
Many of Shepherd's drawings for Modern Athens are preserved at the British Museum.
Reproductions
A facsimile under the title Shepherd's Edinburgh was published in 1980 (Newtongrange: Lang Syne).
Provenance
Front loose endpaper inscribed in pencil, 'Casson Bequest 2/01'.
Binding Note
19th-century half brown morocco, brown cloth-covered boards; gilt-decorated spine, lettered 'Scotland Illustrated'.
Subject
Landscapes (environments) - Architecture - Cities - Country houses - Great Britain - Scotland - Edinburgh - History
Drawings - Landscapes (representations) - Great Britian - 19th century - Picturesque, the
Views - Great Britain - 19th century
Pictorial works - Great Britain - 19th century