Lot 549: STUART James (1713-1788) and Nicholas REVETT (1720-1804). The Antiquities of Athens.

STUART James (1713-1788) and Nicholas REVETT (1720-1804). The Antiquities of Athens. London: John Haberkorn 1762-1794.

3 volumes, 2 o (559 x 385 mm). Engraved portraits of Stuart and Revett, 227 (only) etched and engraved plates, plans and maps by J Basire, C. Grignion, J. Newton, W.Skelton and others after Stuart, Revett, W.Pars, W.Reveley and others, numbered according to chapters, including a hand-coloured folding map of Greece in Volume II by W.Faden after de la Rochette, several other plates and maps double page or folding, etched title vignettes, head- and tailpieces. A few engraved illustrations. (Volume II with worming to gutter affecting plates, some browing and staining throughout.) Later half calf (broken).

FIRST EDITION. Stuart and Revett's is the earliest accurate survey of the Classical buildings of Athens. When the project was initially conceived it was to be a 3-volume work which would contain 191 plates, engraved by Revett and Stuart, and estimated to take only four years to produce. It did not take Stuart and Revett long after their arrival at Athens on 18th March 1751 to recognise that their original plans needed recasting. The publication of the first 3 volumes took 32 years. Volume IV was not published until 1816 and volume V a further supplement was published 1830. Harris 857; Millar, British, 81; Fowler 340. Sold not subject to return. (3)

PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF ALFRED HOPKINS