Blair-Adam - Adam, William, Rt. Hon.
£2,300
Rare Books, Maps and Manuscripts
Auction: 29 August 2012 at 12:00 BST
Description
A letter to Rear-Admiral Adam, M.P., from his father, introductory to Observations on the Blair-Adam Estate. [Blair-Adam, Privately Printed], 1834. 9 lithographed plates, 1 folding; Observations on the woods and plantations of Blair-Adam. [Blair-Adam, Privately Printed], 1834. 2 parts, 5 folding plans (three coloured) and 3 plates, contemporary russia gilt, with 6pp. A.L.S. from William Adam to the Duke of Bedford regarding the genesis of the work and Lord Bedford's "intensive and accurate information on the subjects to which my work relates", Berkeley Square, Jan. 13 1835; Blair-Adam Garden, with a plan and views. [Blair-Adam, Privately Printed], 1834. 13 lithographed plates, 3 folding plans and sections, bound in 2 volumes, latter volume green morocco gilt, presentation copy to The Duke of Bedford, Berekely Square, Jan. 7. 1835, The Duke of Bedford's copy with bookplate, neatly rebacked retaining original spine, g.e. (2)
Footnote
Provenance: Viscount Strathallan, Stobhall, Perthshire
Note: The books were published at the expense of William Adam, father of the architects John, Robert and James Adam, and were privately printed for distribution to friends. They have a strong resemblance to the handful of books which were shortly to be issued by the Blair Adam Press, which are of great rarity.
This publication has its origin in the Blair Adam Club (of which the members were William Clerk, Adam Fergusson, Walter Scott, William Adam and five others), the work being the suggestion of Walter Scott.