An Historical Essay on Architecture

London: John Murray. 1835.

First edition. 2 volumes, 4to. 253x160mm. Vol 1: [xx], 561, 89pp analytical index w/ 12 line figures. Vol 2: 97 single-leaf engraved plates, each with guard leaves. All edges gilt and textblocks tight with only minimal toning to edges. In contemporary publishers full dark-olive morocco with wide borders of scrolled and foliate gilt-line work to upper and lower boards of both volumes, gilt-ruled outer borders with decorative corners. Pastedowns have triple gilt-ruled dentelles with scrolled detail. Backstrips have five raised bands with foliate scrollwork panels in gilt, gilt titles and "London 1835" to the foot of each. The pastedowns have the small armorial bookplates of Charles Rugge-Price, 3rd baronet Rugge-Price and both volumes retain their royal-blue silk place markers (vol 2 fragile at head end and vol 1 slightly frayed at foot with light fading to the ends of both). The binding is still tight with some moderate rubbing and shelfwear to the edges, corners and hinges.

Thomas Hope is, perhaps, best known for his works on costume and furniture. Works which earned him the double-edged sobriquet of "The costume and furniture man" in regency London. His style being termed "English Empire" was seen as simply a slightly naive, sub-Sheraton conflation of classical motifs.