Guide to the Art of Illuminating and Missal Painting, W. & G. Audsley — 2nd Edition

£88.50

Guide to the Art of Illuminating and Missal Painting, W. & G. Audsley — 2nd Edition

Name: Guide to the Art of Illuminating and Missal Painting, W. & G. Audsley — 2nd Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5037
Price: 88.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

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£88.50

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Publication: London, George Rowney and Co., 1861 Sm.

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 72, [8] plates.

Condition Report: Good. The original blue pebble-grain cloth boards are entirely sound, though showing expected wear for a nineteenth-century instructional manual. The intricate blind-stamped floral tooling and gilt titling to the upper board remain distinctly visible but display moderate rubbing, particularly to the extremities and along the joints. The spine exhibits noticeable fading and fraying at both the head and tail, with the corners turned in and lightly bumped. The binding is secure, with the text block retaining its all-edges-gilt finish, albeit slightly dulled. Internally, the pages are generally clean, with some mild, scattered toning throughout. The stunning chromolithographic frontispiece retains its vibrant hues and gilt accents, presenting beautifully without any offsetting or damp-staining.

Catalogue Note: This 1861 Second Edition is a remarkably early and scarce printing of the Audsley brothers' highly influential guide to medieval manuscript illumination. Published by George Rowney and Co., a prominent firm of manufacturing artists’ colourmen, the manual served as both a practical instruction book for the burgeoning Victorian Gothic Revival movement and a clever promotional avenue for Rowney’s illuminating paints and supplies.

The volume features eight magnificent lithographic plates (including four in striking full colour), showcasing intricate alphabets, borders, and initial letters designed by the architects themselves. A contemporary ink signature to the centre of the title page stands as the only notable provenance, subtly tracing the book's history of practical ownership.

Capitalising on the Victorian era's passionate revival of Gothic arts and architecture, William and George Audsley’s Guide to the Art of Illuminating and Missal Painting remains a masterpiece of nineteenth-century instruction. Far from a dry technical manual, this vibrant book offers readers a rich historical overview of manuscript illumination alongside deeply practical advice on vellum, pigments, and brushwork. Beautifully accented by the authors' own chromolithographic designs, it stands as a testament to the period's profound reverence for medieval craftsmanship and the enduring allure of the illuminated page.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: W. & G. Audsley

Book Publisher: George Rowney and Co.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Art & Architecture

Book edition: Second Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 72

Book Publication Year: 1861

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: W. & G. Audsley

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.

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