Beschreibung:

(Sir Richard)] Museum Worsleyanum or A Collection of Antique Basso Relievos Bustos Statues and Gems with Views of Places in the Levant taken on the spot in the years MDCCLXXXV VI and VII, 2 vol., first edition, presentation copy inscribed "To Mrs. Mary ?Carter with Sir Richard Worsley's Compliments" on front free endpapers, engraved portrait by A.Cardon, vignette titles and 105 plates, one double-page, several with more than one image, and 7 engraved illustrations in text, text in English and Italian, with letterpress letter in Latin to Worsley from Cambridge University at end of vol.1 (often missing), portrait foxed and wormed, some other worming to vol.1 (mostly marginal), some light spotting and soiling and light offsetting from plates, on leaf (pp.47-48) in vol.2 torn, engraved book-label of George Cornwall Legh and shelf-label of High Legh library, contemporary half russia, uncut, worn, covers of vol.1 detached, folio, [cf.Blackmer 1842, second edition of 1824], W.Bulmer & Co. for the Shakespeare Press], 1794 [1798-1803]. *** Magnificent catalogue of antique sculpture and gems, including views of the Parthenon and other Greek temples, the Pyramids and Haghia Sophia in Constantinople. Sir Richard Worsley (1751-1805) was a politician and art collector who travelled widely in Greece and Asia Minor in 1785-87 and was later British Resident at Venice 1794-97. He was the first British traveller to transport works of art from Greece back to England, where he displayed his collection of antiquities at his house Appuldurcombe in the Isle of Wight. The cost of his travels, purchases and production of this work is reputed to have totalled approximately £27,000, the publication alone (excluding binding) amounting to almost £3000.