Vitruvius Britannicus. - History Of Hardwicke Hall: Illustrated By Plans, Elevations, And Internal Views Of The Apartments, From Actual Measurement. - By P.F. Robinson, Architect, F.S.A. And F.G.S. Vice President Of The Institute Of British Architects; Author Of A Work On Rural Architecture; An Essay On The Age Of Mickleham Church, In Surrey; A Series Of Designs For Ornamental Villas; Designs For Farm Buildings; Village Architecture; And A Series Of Designs For Park Entrances, Gate Lodges, Etc. -
London:: Printed For The Author, And Published By J.And A. Arch, Cornhill; Longman And Co. Paternoster Row; Molteno And Co. Pall Mall; Priestley And Weale, High Street, Bloomsbury; Pickering, Chancery Lane; Rodwell, New Bond Street; And Williams, Charles Street, Soho. -, MDCCCXXXV.
Physical Description
[2], 30 p., engr. dedic., [9] pl.; 580 mm. (Folio.)
The nine plates are signed as drawn and engraved by Henry Shaw. Most carry also the imprint of the printer, McQueen, and of the publisher, 'the Proprietor', with the date (January 1835). The engraved dedication is signed as drawn and engraved by Henry Shaw, 'The heraldry by T. Willement. F.S.A.', and carries the imprint of McQueen. The head-piece of the History is signed as drawn by T. Willement and engraved by H. Shaw.
The printer is named on the title-page verso and in the colophon: 'Printed By C. Whittingham, Chiswick.'
The work is dedicated by P.F. Robinson to William Spencer Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire.
References
Royal Institute of British Architects, British Architectural Library ... Early printed books, 3 (1999), no. 2817, p. 1671-3; M. Holmes, The country house described (1986), p. 275; J. Archer, The literature of British domestic architecture 1715-1842 (1985), no. 298.1, p.748-9.
M. Girouard, Robert Smythson and the Elizabethan country house (1983).
Summary Note
This was the third title in Robinson's series of monographs, 'Vitruvius Britannicus'. It describes Hardwick Hall, a late 16th-century building, designed by Robert Smythson for the countess of Shrewsbury. The text consists of 'History Of Hardwicke Hall' and 'Catalogue Of The Pictures In The Gallery At Hardwicke'.
The plates are unnumbered and are bound in in different order in different copies. In the Royal Academy's copy they are in the order: [1] 'Entrance Front'; [2] 'Principal Front'; [3] 'Side Elevation'; [4] 'The State Room'; [5] 'View From The Library'; [6] 'The Picture Gallery'; [7] 'The Apartment Called Queen Mary's Room'; [8] 'Stucco Friezes In The State Room'; [9] 'Plan Of The Principal Story'. Plate [8] 'Stucco friezes' is printed in color. The headpiece of the History shows family arms.
Provenance
The front pastedown carries the 19th-century armorial bookplate of 'Frances Mary Richardson Currer'.
Copy Note
The verso of the front loose endpaper is stamped, 'Bound By J. Mackenzie'.
Binding Note
19th-century half green morocco, marbled-papered boards; spine lettered 'Vitruvius Britannicus - Robinson.' Bound with two others.
Architecture - Interior decoration - Country Houses - Great Britain - Derbyshire - Hardwick Hall - History - 16th century - Elizabethan
Collections - Great Britain - 19th century
Views - Plans - Elevations - Great Britain - 19th century
Pictorial works - Great Britain - 19th century