Fine Art, Chiefly Contemporary, William Michael Rossetti — 1st Edition

£124.99

Fine Art, Chiefly Contemporary, William Michael Rossetti — 1st Edition

Name: Fine Art, Chiefly Contemporary, William Michael Rossetti — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4423
Price: 124.99 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London and Cambridge, Macmillan and Co., 1867.

Formatting: 8vo, pp. xx, 392.

Condition Report: Very Good. The book is bound in its original publisher's red cloth, which remains remarkably bright and well-preserved. The gilt titling and ruled borders on the spine and boards are sharp and unoxidised, maintaining their original luster. There is only minimal rubbing to the spine ends and corners, with no significant fraying or structural bumping. The binding itself remains impressively tight, square, and structurally sound. Internally, the text block is highly legible; while the uncut page edges and some margins exhibit the expected mild age-toning of Victorian paper stock, the leaves are entirely free of heavy foxing or moisture damage. Aside from historic signatures on the endpapers, the internal text remains clean and unmarred. Overall, an exceptionally solid and aesthetically pleasing copy.

Catalogue Note: First edition of William Michael Rossetti's foundational collection of art criticism. While issued without illustrations, the volume is defined by its strong textual presence and compelling historical provenance.

Most notably, the title and preliminary pages bear the striking oval ink stamp of "W.W. Sampson & Son, The British Galleries, 13 Air St., Regent St., London, W.". This associates the copy with a notable Victorian art dealer, perfectly complementing the book's subject matter. The front free endpaper features a clear Victorian ownership inscription in ink, reading "Louisa Charlotte Gray, 1869," alongside a subsequent penciled signature of "Mem Sampson," likely connecting the book's ownership directly back to the gallery family.

First editions of Rossetti’s critical works in their original cloth, especially those avoiding the heavy handling wear typical of nineteenth-century reference volumes, are increasingly uncommon on the open market, making this gallery-associated copy particularly desirable.

Fine Art, Chiefly Contemporary is a definitive collection of art criticism by William Michael Rossetti, a founding member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and one of the most influential cultural critics of the Victorian era. The work synthesizes Rossetti's penetrating essays on the evolving landscape of nineteenth-century art, exploring the nuances of style, technique, and philosophy that defined the period. It stands as a vital primary source for understanding the Pre-Raphaelite movement and the broader shifts in Victorian aesthetic sensibilities, offering readers a direct window into the minds that shaped British art.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: William Michael Rossetti

Book Publisher: Macmillan and Co.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Criticism & Essays

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 392

Book Publication Year: 1867

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover (Cloth)

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

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.