Vol. I: [Frontis., t.p., engr. dedic.] - The Preface - [Port.] - [Text, with pl.] - Postscript. - Vol. II:[T.p.] - [Text, with pl.] - Addenda; Corrigenda - Directions to the Bookbinder for placing the Prints - [Colophon] - [Index to the Memoirs of Thomas Hollis ... ].
Responsibility Note
The Index was compiled by Francis Blackburne; and according to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Blackburne was also the author of the Memoirs.
Most plates are signed - those in Volume I as drawn by Giovanni Battista Cipriani and engraved by Cipriani, F. Bartolozzi, J. Basire or T. Patch; those in Volume II as drawn by Cipriani, Ant. Selvi, F. Perry, James Macardel, Nic. d'Oratii, 'A.B.', F. Bartolozzi or J. Chapman, and engraved by Cipriani, F. Bartolozzi, F. Perry, J. Macardel, J. Basire, N. d'Oratii or J. Chapman.
The printer is named in the colophon, 'London, Printed By J. Nichols, Printer To The Society Of Antiquaries. MDCCLXXX'.
The work is dedicated by 'The Compilers' to Thomas Brand Hollis.
References
J.L. Abbott, 'Thomas Hollis and the Society 1756-1774', in Royal Society of Arts journal, 119 (1971), p. 713; Canaletto and England [exhibition catalogue] (1994); W. H. Bond, Thomas Hollis of Lincoln's Inn: a whig and his books (1990); W. Whitley, Artists and their friends in England, 1700-99, 2 v. (1928); J. Nichols, Literary anecdotes of the eighteenth century, III (London, 1812).
ESTC, T140039
Summary Note
The second volume is entitled, 'Appendix To The Memoirs Of Thomas Hollis, Esq. F.R. And A.S.S.' The Memoirs are an account of an important British collector and patron of the eighteenth century - who commissioned work from Canaletto, Cipriani, Richard Wilson and others, and generously donated works to other collections in Britain and overseas. It was to Hollis that Venuti's Roma Antica owed its posthumous publication. A liberal in politics, Hollis also wrote or edited books on Milton, Locke and the rights of American colonists. He bequeathed his collections to his friend Thomas Brand, who changed his name to Thomas Brand Hollis.
The plate immediately preceding the text shows a portrait of Thomas Hollis. The frontispiece shows a figure representing Britannia. Most plates show antiquities, portraits and other works of art formerly in Hollis's possession.
Much of Hollis's collection of ancient sculpture is now in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.
Reproductions
A microfilm version was published in 1986 (Woodbridge CT: Research Publications). A microfiche version was published in 1980 (Woodbridge CT: Research Publications).
Provenance
In the first volume is inserted a sheet of paper inscribed in ink, 'Thomas Brand Hollis is desirous of the Honour of depositing in the Royal Academy the memoirs of his Friend Thomas Hollis a Lover of the Arts and Sciences. London octo 10. 1781.' Listed in RAA Library Catalogue, 1802.
Copy Note
Imperfect: lacks the Index.
Binding Note
18th-century calf, upper covers gilt-stamped with a figure of Britannia, lower covers gilt-stamped with another classical figure; rebacked in 1996 by J.A. Cassels, spines lettered 'Thomas Hollis Vol. I. (II.)'.
Collectors - Collections - Patronage - Great Britain - History - 18th century
Biography - Memoirs - Great Britain - 18th century
Pictorial works - Great Britain - 18th century