HASSELL, John. Aqua Pictura. Illustrated by a Series of Original Specimens ... exhibiting the Works of the most Approved Modern Water Coloured Draftsmen ... Engraved and Finished in Progressive Examples, London: for the Proprietors, and sold by Hassell & Co. [and others], n.d. [plates watermarked 1816-17]. Oblong 2° (320 x 465mm). 19 plates in 4 states (hand-coloured aquatint, sepia aquatint, plain aquatint and line-engraving), numerous coloured specimens in the text. (One plate torn and repaired, light spotting towards the end.) Contemporary green straight-grained morocco, spine ornately gilt and with title label, 2 gilt and 4 blindstamped borders on covers (corners bumped, extremities rubbed). Second edition. Abbey Life 140: "The idea of this work, Hassell's largest and most interesting publication, was to take a drawing by one of the most celebrated draughtsmen of the age, and to publish four prints showing progressive stages of the work".