Rural architecture;, or, Designs, from the simple cottage to the decorated villa; including some which have been executed. / By John Plaw, architect and surveyor. ; Etched and shaded in aqua-tint, on sixty two plates..

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Plaw, John, 1744 or 1745-1820.

Contributor:

Raley, Robert L., former owner.

Coles, T. F., former owner.

Taylor, J. (Josiah), publisher.

Gosnell, Samuel, printer.

Jukes, Francis, 1745-1812, engraver.

Plaw, John, 1744 or 1745-1820, artist.

Plaw, John, 1744 or 1745-1820, engraver.

British Imprints Collection (Athenaeum of Philadelphia)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Cottages--Great Britain.

Cottages.

Country homes--Great Britain.

Country homes.

Architecture, Domestic--Great Britain.

Architecture, Domestic.

Architecture, Domestic--Designs and plans.

Physical Description:

8 p., LX [i.e. LXII] leaves of plates : chiefly ill., plans ; 31 cm.

Other Title:

Designs, from the simple cottage to the decorated villa

Place of Publication:

London: : Published by J. Taylor, at the Architectural Library, High Holborn., M.DCCC.II. [1802]

Notes:

First published in 1785; subsequently reissued in 1794, 1796, 1800, 1802 and 1804. Cf. Colvin, H. Biographical dict. of British architects, p. 642.

At foot of t.p. following imprint: Price two guineas.

"S. Gosnell printer, Little Queen Street, Holborn"--T.p. verso.

Earlier editions were issued with an [8] p. list of subscribers.

Includes frontispiece and 61 additional aquatint plates signed by Plaw and F. Jukes.

"Rural architecture..." was the first example of a genre of British architectural books known as 'villa books'; it was also the first to include aqua-tinted plates; this new technique allowed Plaw an entirely new range of textures for depicting light and shadow; landscape after this point becomes an important component of composition, and Plaw was the first to unify architectural designs with landscape. Cf. Archer, p. 683-84.

According to Harris, the publication of Plaw's 'Rural architecture...' was the first in a long line of cottage and villa books, marking the beginning of the Picturesque aesthetic. Cf. Harris. Brit. architectural books and writers, p. 11.

Local Notes:

Athenaeum copy: Gift of Robert L. Raley/Carpenters' Company Collection.

Athenaeum also has copy of 1796 edition.

Athenaeum copy: Bound in half leather with marbled boards, raised bands and gilt filleting on spine.

Athenaeum copy: Binder's title: Plaw rural arch.

Athenaeum copy: With ms. signature on front endpaper: T.F. Coles, Croydon.

Athenaeum copy: Includes a [4] p. folded bookseller's catalogue tipped in at end.

Cited in:

Archer, J. Literature of Brit. domestic architecture, 260.6