Lot 230
Palladio, Andrea
The Four Books of Architecture
Auction: From the Library of Professor Roland Paxton | 01 October 2026 from 10am | Lots 221 to 252
Description
… Literally Translated from the Original Italian, by Isaac Ware. London: for R. Ware, [1755?]. Second Ware edition, one of two issues, this with the title-page undated and without reference to a ‘Second Edition’), folio (41 x 26cm), contemporary calf, raised bands, letterpress title in red and black (incorrect manuscript date to imprint of letterpress title), additional engraved general title and engraved titles to books 2, 3 & 4, 205 engraved plates, engraved illustrations to text, 3 plates have original architectural sketches in ink on verso, upper joint cracking, corner tips bumped, original pastedowns missing with new endpapers laid in, occasional minor spotting and marks, light damp stains to few leaves [ESTC T491630; Harris 692]
Provenance
From the collection of the late Professor Roland Paxton MBE FICE FRSE (1932-2025), 'Britain's foremost historian of civil engineering' (Telegraph, obituary, 12th November 2025); Professor Paxton was also a leading conservationist of Britain's engineering heritage, and led successful campaigns to restore two of the world's most important railway structures, the Laigh Milton Viaduct in Ayrshire, the world's oldest surviving railway bridge, and the Union Chain Bridge, the world's oldest suspension bridge still carrying road traffic.
Footnote
The 1755 edition was published in weekly parts starting in September 1753. The 51st and last number was published in August 1754. 'The two title-pages bearing the imprint of Richard Ware, one undated, the other dated “1755” and described as “Second Edition,” presumably covered different stages of the part publication … Ware's translation from the Italian is the most literally reliable of any' (Harris).