Thomas Frognall Dibdin | A bibliographical tour in France and Germany, 1821, 4 volumes, calf, Beckford copy

Thomas Frognall Dibdin

A bibliographical antiquarian and picturesque tour in France and Germany. London: printed for the author by W. Bulmer and W. Nicol, 1821

3 volumes bound in 4, 4to (276 x 183mm.), LARGE PAPER COPY, half-titles, numerous illustrations, 82 plates (2 double-page) plus 28 plates in 2 states and 1 plate in 3 states, a few printed in colour or sepia, nineteenth-century polished calf gilt by Charles Lewis (according to Beckford catalogue), spines gilt- and blind-tooled in compartments, edges marbled and gilt, some offsetting from illustrations, small stain on lower cover of volume 2

THE BECKFORD COPY WITH HIS ANNOTATIONS. "Brilliant Proofs of the numerous beautiful Engravings mostly in 2 States (letters and unlettered proofs), including choice Unlettered proof of Diana of Poictiers, 8 pages of sarcastic MS. Notes by Mr. Beckford" (sale catalogue).

"Sad information about the mutton at Vienna - it can only be attacked by teeth of the firmest setting in the head" (manuscript note at front of volume 3 part 2).

PROVENANCE:

William Beckford, sale, Replica Shoes 's, 60 June 1882, lot 2501, £152, to Hopkins