Antiquities of Westminster; the Old Palace; St. Stephen's Chapel, (now the House of Commons) &c. &c. : Containing two hundred and forty-six engravings of topographical objects, of which one hundred and twenty-two no longer remain. / By John Thomas Smith. This work contains copies of manuscripts which throw new and unexpected light on the ancient history of the arts in England.
London: Printed by T. Bensley, Bolt Court, for J. T. Smith, 31, Castle Street East, Oxford Street, and sold by R. Ryan, 353, Oxford Street, near the Pantheon; and J. Manson, 10, Gerrard Street, Soho, June 9, 1807
Physical Description
[4], 1-16, iii-xv, [3], 276, 36 leaves of plates (some col.); [2], [2], 62 leaves of plates: illus., plans; 352 mm.
General Note
The text is largely by J. S. Hawkins. Following a quarrel with Smith, however, the text was revised by Smith and others. A pamphlet war followed, and Smith's "Vindication" (1807) was intended to be bound as a supplement to the present work and appears as such in this copy. Another supplement, containing 62 additional plates, was also published in parts by Smith between 1807 and 1809, and is bound with this copy.
The plates were printed by John Dixon (see p. 276). Wood-engravings in the text are by William and John Berryman (see p. 37). Plate [13] is a lithograph prepared by Smith and P. H. André, and shows the same image as plate [14] (an etching). [In this copy however plate 14 (the etching) is bound before plate 13 (the lithograph).] The first 300 copies (of around 1000) to be printed include both plates, but the lithographic stone broke down at this point, and later copies omit plate [13].
Contents
This copy is bound in the following order: [title-page], dedication to King George III, Advertisement, Mr John Thomas Smith's Vindication (p. 1-16), Preface (p. ii-xv), List of Plates, An Account, &c. [text and plates] (p. 1-276) [including Address and List of Subscribers].
This is followed by Sixty-two additional plates to Smith's Antiquities of Westminster, most respectfully dedicated to the King (by His Majesty's gracious permission.) London: Published as the Act directs by J.T. Smith, No. 4, Polygon, Somer's Town [1807-1809]. This consists of title-page, 62 plates and a list of the plates at the end.
References
Royal Institute of British Architects, Early printed books, 4 (2001), nos. 3079 and 3080
B. Adams, London Illustrated 1604-1851: A Survey And Index Of Topographical Books And Their Plates (1983), 98
Abbey, Scenery , 210
Upcott, p. 835-839
Binding Note
Quarter-bound in brown leather with gilt lettering on the spine, 'Smiths / Antiquities / Of / Westminster' and 'R.A.'
Subject
Westminster Palace (London, England) - St. Stephen's Chapel (Westminster, London, England) - Palace of Westminster - Westminster (London, England) - Architecture, Medieval Great Britain - Westminster History and antiquities ; Early works to 1800