![WOOD, Robert (1717-1771). The Ruins of Palmyra, otherwise Tedmor, in the desart. London: 1753. 3 full-page engraved illustrations of inscriptions, 59 engraved plates and plans. [Bound with:] The Ruins of Balbec, Otherwise Heliopolis in Coelosyria. London: 1757. Half-page engraving of inscriptions and 47 engraved plates, some folding or double-page.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2016/CKS/2016_CKS_12138_0387_000(wood_robert_the_ruins_of_palmyra_otherwise_tedmor_in_the_desart_london071848).jpg?w=1)
Details
WOOD, Robert (1717-1771). The Ruins of Palmyra, otherwise Tedmor, in the desart. London: 1753. 3 full-page engraved illustrations of inscriptions, 59 engraved plates and plans. [Bound with:] The Ruins of Balbec, otherwise Heliopolis in Coelosyria. London: 1757. Half-page engraving of inscriptions and 47 engraved plates, some folding or double-page.
2 works in one volume, large 2º (540 x 373mm). (Some variable browning and spotting to both works.) Contemporary mottled calf, gilt-tooled spine with raised bands, red and green morocco labels, edges red (covers scuffed, joints slightly cracked, extremities worn). Provenance: Westport House (bookplate) – Jasper More (bookplate).
FIRST EDITIONS of these two closely related works. Wood, accompanied by James Dawkins, John Bouverie and the Italian artist and architect Giovanni Battista Borra, travelled extensively in the Levant, reaching the relatively unvisited sites of Palmyra and Balbec in 1751. The labour and the cost of publishing meant that The Ruins of Balbec only appeared four years after The Ruins of Palmyra. Both works were praised by Walpole and the plates of these unfamiliar sites, mainly by Fourdrinier and Major after Giovanni Battista Borra, became an important architectural source. Berlin Kat. 1884; Blackmer 1835; Fowler 443-4; Harris 936, 939. RIBA 3706-7.
2 works in one volume, large 2º (540 x 373mm). (Some variable browning and spotting to both works.) Contemporary mottled calf, gilt-tooled spine with raised bands, red and green morocco labels, edges red (covers scuffed, joints slightly cracked, extremities worn). Provenance: Westport House (bookplate) – Jasper More (bookplate).
FIRST EDITIONS of these two closely related works. Wood, accompanied by James Dawkins, John Bouverie and the Italian artist and architect Giovanni Battista Borra, travelled extensively in the Levant, reaching the relatively unvisited sites of Palmyra and Balbec in 1751. The labour and the cost of publishing meant that The Ruins of Balbec only appeared four years after The Ruins of Palmyra. Both works were praised by Walpole and the plates of these unfamiliar sites, mainly by Fourdrinier and Major after Giovanni Battista Borra, became an important architectural source. Berlin Kat. 1884; Blackmer 1835; Fowler 443-4; Harris 936, 939. RIBA 3706-7.
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