WILLETT, Ralph (1719-1795). A Description of the Library at Merly in the County of Dorset . London: Printed for the Author by John Nichols 1785. Large 2 o (552 x 410 mm). Title with large engraved allegorical vignette, dedication leaf, 14 pp. letterpress text in 2 columns, parallel English and French texts, 25 engraved plates (7 folding), reproducing Collins's plasterwork designed by Willett, and one of bookcases as well as two supraporta paintings by Richard Wilson and Salomon Delane respectively, "Athens in its flourishing state" and "Athens in its present state of ruins" (2 double plates). (Some occasional spotting, a few old reinforcements along platemarks verso where paper weakened.) Contemporary half calf, marbled boards (rebacked preserving original red morocco lettering piece). Provenance : "N.C." (contemporary engraved bookplate with coronet of an English Marquess). FIRST ILLUSTRATED EDITION. The remarkable book of engraved views of the magnificent library designed by Ralph Willet for his house at Merly. It is dedicated, with permission, to King George III. Willet had started building Merly House in 1752; it was finished by 1760. In 1776 he wrote a description in English and French of the library of which he had an unillustrated 8vo edition of 200 copies printed; this text was reprinted in the above edition. "Few collectors can have given more thought to the creation of a fitting casket for their treasures...it was the plasterwork of cove and ceiling which made this unique among Georgian libraries. Thought up by Willet and executed by a 'Mr. Collins,' the theme was nothing less than the origin and progress of civilization...This masterpiece of Georgian architecture, in which Willet and Collins were assisted by Banks and 'Athenian' Stuart...existed for little more than 40 years, for the library wing was pulled down by Willett's nephew, a few years after the books were sold in 1813" (Alan G. Thomas, "Ralph Willet of Merly" in: The Book Collector , 1963, pp. 439-448). "Mr. Collins" is the William Collins (1721-1793) who worked for Robert Adam The library was 84 feet long, 23 feet wide, and 23 feet high, of which 5½ feet was coving. The bookcases, which rose above 13 feet, were of carved mahogany, enriched with a complete Ionic order.
WILLETT, Ralph (1719-1795). A Description of the Library at Merly in the County of Dorset . London: Printed for the Author by John Nichols 1785. Large 2 o (552 x 410 mm). Title with large engraved allegorical vignette, dedication leaf, 14 pp. letterpress text in 2 columns, parallel English and French texts, 25 engraved plates (7 folding), reproducing Collins's plasterwork designed by Willett, and one of bookcases as well as two supraporta paintings by Richard Wilson and Salomon Delane respectively, "Athens in its flourishing state" and "Athens in its present state of ruins" (2 double plates). (Some occasional spotting, a few old reinforcements along platemarks verso where paper weakened.) Contemporary half calf, marbled boards (rebacked preserving original red morocco lettering piece). Provenance : "N.C." (contemporary engraved bookplate with coronet of an English Marquess). FIRST ILLUSTRATED EDITION. The remarkable book of engraved views of the magnificent library designed by Ralph Willet for his house at Merly. It is dedicated, with permission, to King George III. Willet had started building Merly House in 1752; it was finished by 1760. In 1776 he wrote a description in English and French of the library of which he had an unillustrated 8vo edition of 200 copies printed; this text was reprinted in the above edition. "Few collectors can have given more thought to the creation of a fitting casket for their treasures...it was the plasterwork of cove and ceiling which made this unique among Georgian libraries. Thought up by Willet and executed by a 'Mr. Collins,' the theme was nothing less than the origin and progress of civilization...This masterpiece of Georgian architecture, in which Willet and Collins were assisted by Banks and 'Athenian' Stuart...existed for little more than 40 years, for the library wing was pulled down by Willett's nephew, a few years after the books were sold in 1813" (Alan G. Thomas, "Ralph Willet of Merly" in: The Book Collector , 1963, pp. 439-448). "Mr. Collins" is the William Collins (1721-1793) who worked for Robert Adam The library was 84 feet long, 23 feet wide, and 23 feet high, of which 5½ feet was coving. The bookcases, which rose above 13 feet, were of carved mahogany, enriched with a complete Ionic order.
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