Antiquities of England and Wales, a Compendium of historical Middle ages Castles, Profusely illustrated in Four Volumes

Grose, Francis

First Edition

Francis Grose. Antiquities of England and Wales is a compendium of historical monuments, richly illustrated with many engravings. Hardcover. Folio size. 4 large volumes. Publisher: S. Hooper. Publication Date: 1773. This work is considered one of the most important antiquarian publications of the 18th century. It was published in an in book form- as a several volume, very large and attactive set. In the introduction to Antiquities Grose stated that he hoped to popularize English and Welsh historical monuments by producing a readable and general introduction to the subject. Includes hundreds of engravings after his own drawings. The 4 volumes are profusely illustrated with etchings and include detailed descriptive texts of the monuments and castles of England and Wales. Each of the 4 volumes include frontispice, vignette title page, and many illustrations. A nice set with beautiful bindings in leather and gilt. Armorial bookplate. Boards and spine exhibit typical wear. Gorgeous colonial green and yellow hand marbled end papers. Condition: Good with minor scuffing and abrasions to covers and some loss to spine ends, some reinforcement to gutter of one volume. Interior paper clean and strong, Overall appearance still very nice.

Upon Grose's death, a collection of his preparatory sketches and finished drawings produced for Antiquities were purchased on behalf of George III and are now housed here, at the British Library. His beautiful plates showsin great detail most of the Middle age Abbeys and castles of England. Grose was posted to Kent on excise duties in 1750 and spent nine years there before touring southern England with the Surrey Militia. It was primarily during the summer months, and only when the Militia weren’t based at encampments, that Grose was able to pursue his antiquarian studies.

Item #17492

Price: $875.00