The fine arts of the English school : illustrated by a series of engravings, from paintings, sculpture, and architecture, of eminent English artists : with ample biographical, critical, and descriptive essays, by various authors

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Frontispiece plate shows a "Design for a national institution, appropriated to the fine arts, the sciences and literature of the kingdom" by Joseph Gandy. The National Gallery in London was not opened until 1838 and was then designed by William Wilkins.
Engravings by John Le Keux, William Bond, Antoin Cardon, Edward Scriven, J. Godby, John Pye, Edmund Scott and John Roffe; after Joshua Michael Gandy, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Martin Archer Shee, Anton Raphael Mengs, John Flaxman, Richard Westall, George Romney, Joseph Nollekens, Henry Howard, James Northcote, J.M.W. Turner, Benjamin West, Thomas Banks, Thomas Gainsborough, and James Elmes.
Various pagings.
Includes bibliographical references.
MUDD WF 863: Poor condition.
BAC Folio A 2012 20 Copy 1: Bound in contemporary gilt-tooled red morocco (35 cm). Gilt edges. Armorial bookplate: James Foster Wadmore. Binder's label: Bound by J. Bohn. No. 31 Frith St. Soho London. Has tipped in before dedication: "Explanation of the border on the cover designed by J.B. Bond, architect; and engraved, in wood, by Branston" ([1] leaf).
BAC Folio A 2012 20 Copy 2: Large paper copy (43 cm.). Bound in full blue morocco. Gilt tooling on sides and spine. Armorial bookplates: Robert W. Mylne; William John Home Mylne.
BAC Folio A 2012 20 Copy 3: John Britton's copy. Large paper copy (43 cm.). Added engraved title page dated 1810. Extra-illustrated with author's and engraver's proofs, drawings and autograph letters concerning alterations to the plates and texts. Author's proofs (3): Titiana, Puck, the changeling etc -- Pope's villa -- Thetis bearing the armour to Achilles. -- Engraver's proofs before lettering, final additions and alterations (9): Frontispiece -- Garrick, between tragedy & comedy -- Titania, Puck etc. -- The Earl of Argyle in prison -- Pope's villa -- The cottage -- Monument to the Earl of Mansfield -- Section of St. Paul's Cathedral -- Perspective of St. Paul's Cathedral. Engraver's proofs before final additions or alterations with some lettering (2): Portrait of Richard Wilson -- The four angels of the Apocalypse. -- Pencil & wash monochrome drawings for the engraver (3): W. Hilton's drawing of Nollekens' "Monument to Mrs. Howard" -- W. Hilton's drawing of Banks' "A falling giant" -- R.W. Satchwell's drawing of Flaxman's 'Monument to William Murray -- The expiation of Orestes: (i) An earlier engraving (before the published one) with Thomas Hope's touches showing the necessary alterations to be made in the revised version -- (ii) A sketch by Thomas Hope (made in the presence of John Britton) showing the faults in the above engraving of the figure of Minerva -- (iii) Thomas Hope's ALS to John Britton concerning the difference in the above plate from Westhall's drawing -- Pope's Villa: (i) Britton's early draft (in his hand) for the description of the painting of Pope's Villa, not printed -- (ii) Britton's note to Turner accompanying the final draft for the description -- (iii) Turner's reply (written below the previous note) suggesting alterations to the text.
BAC Folio A 2012 20 Copy 4: Large paper copy (43 cm). Bound in blind- and gilt-tooled brown morocco. Armorial bookplates: C.S. Tandy; Rupert Gunnis.
BAC Folio A 2012 20 Copy 5: Bound in half brown morocco with paper covered boards. Bookplate: Rupert Gunnis.