[Rarebooks] FS: Irish Gold Binding: OBSERVATIONS ON THE RIVER WYE

[Kaaterskill Books]

We offer for Sale:

Gilpin, William. [William McKenzie Binding]. OBSERVATIONS ON THE 
RIVER WYE, & SEVERAL PARTS OF SOUTH WALES, ETC. RELATIVE CHIEFLY TO 
PICTURESQUE BEAUTY; MADE IN THE SUMMER OF THE YEAR 1770. London: 
Printed for R. Blamire, in the Strand, 1792. xvi, 152 pp. [1]. Illus. 
with 17 acquatints. 8vo. Third edition. Upcott p.330 (Vol.1).

Gold-tooled full tree calf bound by William McKenzie; Trinity College 
Dublin Coat of arms in gold on front and rear boards which are 
bordered with rolls (R17); spine with seven panels divided by rolls 
(R16); titles to two panels, two birds drinking from a fountain in 
two panels, single bird in two panels, all highly decorated in gilt; 
blue marbled endpapers.

William Gilpin (1724-1804) called "the true pioneer of the 
picturesque," was the first writer to create a systematic theory of 
the picturesque. A copy of this book, the first of his travel books, 
was believed to be carried by Wordsworth on his trip to Tintern Abbey 
in 1798. Later editions are considered superior to the first edition 
which was printed on very coarse paper.

The binding is by William McKenzie, who married the widow of the 
printer William Halhead, and was a bookseller and stationer to the 
Trinity College, Dublin. McKenzie, who flourished from 1783 to 1817, 
was one of the best-documented figures working in the 18th century 
(see McDonnell and Healy, "Gold-tooled Bookbindings Commissioned by 
Trinity College Dublin in the 18th century"). His engraved prize 
ticket to the front pastedown.

The prize was awarded to Frederico Gulielmo French. According to The 
Entrance Registers for Trinity College, this was William French who 
entered the College 19 November 1792 at the age of fifteen. He was 
Socius Comitatus (as mentioned on the ticket) which is a Fellow 
Commoner (Fellow commoners paid double fees and enjoyed several 
privileges, including finishing the college course in three years 
instead of four); he was born in Cork, his father's name was Temple 
who was a barrister. William French was educated by Mr. Madder before 
he entered the college and his tutor's name in College was Mr. Magee. 
William French obtained his B. A. in the summer of 1796. An important 
work bound by an important binder with an interesting provenance.

Dampstain darkening to boards along spine and top edge, boards 
lightly bowed, leather split at front joint but hinge still tight, 
split to rear joint at top edge, chip along rear top edge at spine, 
light dampstaining throughout but not affecting plates, small chip to 
lower front corner of title leaf which has later owner's name and is 
dated 1802; interior impressions clean, prize ticket clean with 
printing and signatures legible, tooling on boards and spine clear. 
[23743]  $400.00

Regards,

Charles Kutcher
Kaaterskill Books
P.O. Box 122
East Jewett, NY 12424.
Phone: 518-589-0555.
Email: books at kaaterskillbooks.com
Member of I. O. B. A.


TERMS:

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with prior notification.


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