Observations on the Arts, Thomas Winstanley — 1st Edition

£100.00

Observations on the Arts, Thomas Winstanley — 1st Edition

Name: Observations on the Arts, Thomas Winstanley — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5705
Price: 100.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: Liverpool, W. Wales and Co., 1828

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [ii], x, 132, xxii.

Condition Report: Very Good. The book is bound in an attractive, later quarter brown calf over marbled boards, presenting very well on the shelf. The binding remains tight and square, with the hinges fully intact and no evident splitting to the joints. The spine features a crisp, unoxidised gilt-lettered maroon label and subtle blind-tooled sawtooth borders along the leather margins, all of which remain sharp and well-defined, showing only trivial signs of rubbing to the extreme corners and spine ends. The marbled boards retain their brightness without any significant scuffing or shelf-wear. Internally, the volume boasts its original untrimmed edges, preserving its charmingly rustic text block. While there is some expected scattered foxing and age-toning, most notably to the preliminary pages and the title page, the main body of text remains predominantly clean, crisp, and highly legible, free from any distracting structural defects.

Catalogue Note: This is a true first edition of Thomas Winstanley's comprehensive guide to the painters of the European schools. Printed in Liverpool, the volume was intended for the flourishing class of art collectors in Liverpool and Manchester, providing a fascinating glimpse into the provincial British art market of the early 19th century.

The book bears an early, likely contemporary, ink ownership inscription to the upper margin of the title page. The work was originally published anonymously with only the author's initials ("T. W.") printed at the end of the preface. Furthermore, this copy has been handsomely bound in quarter calf while deliberately preserving the original untrimmed page edges, a feature highly prized by collectors as it indicates the pages have not been cropped by a later binder.

First editions of this work are undeniably scarce on the open market. It stands as a significant reference not only for the history of art collecting but also for the legacy of Thomas Winstanley himself, who was a prominent auctioneer, dealer, and connoisseur during the period.

Observations on the Arts serves as a captivating 19th-century handbook designed to educate art admirers and collectors. Written by the highly regarded art dealer Thomas Winstanley, the work offers extensive tables and categorizations of Renaissance and post-Renaissance artists across the Italian, Spanish, French, Flemish, Dutch, and German schools. Drawing upon his thirty years of experience, Winstanley provides astute advice and historical testimony to the patrons of the arts in Liverpool and Manchester, making this not just a register of artists, but a deeply insightful primary source on the aesthetics and commercial realities of the 1820s British art trade.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Thomas Winstanley

Book Publisher: W. Wales and Co.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Art & Architecture

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 166

Book Publication Year: 1828

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Liverpool, 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.