Vitruvius Britannicus. - History Of Hatfield House: 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. -
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. -, MDCCCXXXIII.
Physical Description
[2], 28 p., engr. dedic., [9] pl.; 580 mm. (Folio.)
The plates are signed as drawn by J.D. Harding, J. Sanders, R. Stokes, Henry Shaw or G. Burridge (but pl. [6] is not signed by a draughtsman), and as engraved by W. Radclyffe or Henry Shaw. Most carry the publishers' imprint of the 'Proprietors' and the date (January 1833). The engraved dedication is signed as drawn and engraved by Henry Shaw, 'The heraldry by T. Willement. F.S.A.' The head- and tail-piece of the History are unsigned.
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 James, Marquess and Earl of Salisbury.
References
Royal Institute of British Architects, British Architectural Library ... Early printed books, 3 (1999), no. 2818, p. 1673-4; M. Holmes, The country house described (1986), p. 126; J. Archer, The literature of British domestic architecture 1715-1842 (1985), no. 298.1.
Summary Note
This was the second title in Robinson's series of monographs, 'Vitruvius Britannicus'. It describes Hatfield House, an early 17th-century building, commissioned by Robert Cecil, first earl of Salisbury; of which the south front and clock tower were possibly designed by Inigo Jones. The building was restored in the 18th century but retains its Jacobean character. The text consists of 'History Of Hatfield House', 'A List Of The Family Pictures At Hatfield House' and 'General Catalogue Of The Pictures At Hatfield House, 1833, Exclusive Of Family Portraits'.
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] a view of the house from the park; [2] 'Central Compartment, South Front'; [3] 'View Of The South Front'; [4] 'Elevation Of The South Front'; [5] 'The Hall'; [6] 'Plan Of The Old Palace At Hatfield'; [7] 'The Staircase'; [8] 'The Gallery'; [9] 'Plan Of The Principal Story'. The headpiece of the History shows the Cecil arms; the tailpiece, the 'Old Palace At Hatfield'.
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 - Hertfordshire - Hatfield - Hatfield House - History - 17th century - Jacobean
Collections - Great Britain - 19th century
Views - Plans - Elevations - Great Britain - 19th century
Pictorial works - Great Britain - 19th century