Deliciæ Britannicæ; or, the Curiosities of Hampton-Court and Windsor-Castle, Delineated
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Deliciæ Britannicæ; or, the Curiosities of Hampton-Court and Windsor-Castle, Delineated, George Bickham, jun. — First Edition
Publication: London, T. Cooper, 1742
Formatting: 12mo, pp. xii, 203, [1].
Condition Report: Fair. The volume is bound in its contemporary full sprinkled calf, featuring a double gilt fillet border to the boards, though it now shows significant signs of age and heavy handling. The leather is extensively rubbed, with substantial peeling and delamination to the extremities that has exposed the underlying boards at the corners and fore-edges. The spine, originally designed with five raised bands and gilt rules, is heavily dried, with chipping at the head and tail, and the joints are cracked, though the boards remain securely attached. Internally, the text block remains cohesive. The front free endpaper bears an early, factual ownership signature ("C. Janson") in ink, alongside minor offsetting and age-toning typical of 18th-century paper stock, but the leaves remain generally crisp and legible throughout.
Catalogue Note: This is the true first edition of George Bickham the Younger's architectural guide to two of England's most significant royal palaces. The work is embellished with copper-plate engravings executed by the author, including an elaborate frontispiece portrait of Raphael.
Copies of the original printing in their contemporary bindings have become increasingly scarce on the open market, particularly when retaining the original frontispiece without significant internal loss or institutional rebinding. The front free endpaper bears a standard early ownership signature in ink, adding a modest trace of provenance to the volume.
Deliciæ Britannicæ offers a fascinating 18th-century window into the artistic and architectural splendour of Hampton Court and Windsor Castle. Authored and illustrated by the noted engraver George Bickham the Younger, the work provides detailed contemporary descriptions of the royal apartments, gardens, and, most notably, the extensive collections of paintings housed within. Blending instruction with delight, it was designed both for the curious traveller and the discerning art lover, serving as an essential historical record of Britain’s royal heritage as it stood in the mid-1700s.
Book Condition: Fair
Book Authors: George Bickham, jun.
Book Publisher: T. Cooper
Book Language: English
Narrative Type: Antiquarian
Genre: History
Book edition: First Edition
Signed: No
Book Pages: 216
Book Publication Year: 1742
Book Publication Date:
Book Binding: Full Calf
Illustrator: George Bickham, jun.
Book Series: N/A
Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom
Book Dimensions:
Book Condition Guide
| Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| New | A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage. |
| As New | The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years. |
| Fine | The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked. |
| Near Fine | The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition. |
| Very Good | The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present. |
| Good | A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy. |
| Fair | A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity. |
| Poor | A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance. |
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