Lot 264: REPTON, Humphry (1752-1818). Observations on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening . London: T. Bensley for J. Taylor, 1803.

REPTON, Humphry (1752-1818). Observations on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening. London: T. Bensley for J. Taylor, 1803.

4° (340 x 277mm). Engraved frontispiece portrait after S. Shelley, and 27 plates, 12 of these with overslips, one folding, and many hand-coloured or tinted; aquatint and engraved illustrations in the text, 2 of these with overslips. (Spotting on the frontispiece and last plate, faint marginal dampstain in the title and frontispiece, occasional light offsetting and occasional light spotting, short marginal tears in the folding plate.) Contemporary green morocco-backed and -edged marbled paper-covered boards, green morocco gilt label on the upper side, edges gilt (extremities lightly rubbed, sides scuffed).

FIRST EDITION OF REPTON'S 'MOST IMPORTANT WORK' (RIBA). Repton's second treatise reflects the increasing refinement of his theories on landscape and architecture, and answers the criticisms of Uvedale Price and Payne Knight. 'Perhaps [Repton's] most significant and influential publication overall' (Archer). Abbey, Scenery, 390; Archer 279.1; RIBA 2734; Tooley 399.

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