Lot 105
Slezer, John
Theatrum Scotiae
Auction: Other Properties | Wed 25 February from 10am | Lots 63 to 255
Description
Containing the Prospects of their Majesties Castles and Palaces. London: Printed by John Leake for Abell Swalle, 1693. First edition, one of two issues (priority not established), this with royal licence-to-print leaf following title-page, folio (39.7 x 24.8cm), 57 double-page engraved plates, engraved arms in text, contemporary or 18th-century sprinkled calf, gilt spine (worn and faded) in compartments, rebacked with board corners repaired, folds of plates strengthened, neat repair to plate 52 (Melrose Abbey), final leaf ‘The End of the Prospects’ with small tear, occasional spotting and staining, overall a good, clean copy with strong impressions of the plates [ESTC R19602]
Provenance
Manuscript inscription on front pastedown: ‘Price two guineas; bt. of B. White [Benjamin White], London 1792’.
Footnote
The first pictorial survey of Scotland. Laid into this copy is a manuscript copy (4 pp., folio) of a paper presented by a James Cameron to the Edinburgh Bibliographical Society on 12 December 1895, which apparently formed the basis of an article published in the Papers of the Edinburgh Bibliographical Society 1895-1898 titled ‘A Bibliography of Slezer’s Theatrum Scotiae'.