Topographical miscellanies, containing ancient histories, and modern descriptions, of mansions, churches, monuments, and families, with many engravings, particularly of ancient architecture, throughout England. Vol. I [all published]
London: J. Robson, 1792. First edition, 4to, pp. xx, [134], 44, 47-66, 4, [2]; 13 plates including the folding plan of Blackfriars (with old tape repair barely touching the image), genealogical tables in the text; recent calf-backed marbled boards, red gilt morocco spine label; all plates with moderate tidemark mostly visible on the versos; all else very good. Originally published in seven parts, and never completed. From the printed edition of the DNB together with the watered-down, on-line version: "An interest in topography and antiquities resulted in The Topographer, edited by Brydges and Stebbing Shaw between 1789 and 1791, and his own Topographical Miscellanies (1792). He was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 1795 ... His first literary venture was made in March 1785, when he published a volume of poems, among which the earlier pieces are some sonnets dated 1782. A fourth and much enlarged edition of his miscellaneous poetry appeared in 1807. The volume of 1785 was coldly received, and Brydges continued to be much disheartened, even though his novels, Mary de Clifford (1792) and Arthur Fitzalbini (1798), obtained some popularity...The latter was semi-autobiographical and deeply upset his country neighbours, those ‘book-hating squires’ who recognized themselves. His unpopularity, however, was probably more connected to his inability to manage his estates; he was permanently in debt, despite inheriting vast properties from both parents and his wives...He was by nature shy and proud, yet morbidly sensitive and egotistic, and being tormented by an extraordinary thirst for literary fame, he was unhappily led to mistake his delight in reading great works of literature for an evidence of his capacity to produce similar works himself" (DNB). Corns & Sparke, p. 39, quoting Allibone: "Only about 200 copies printed." Lowndes, p. 2698. Item #45482
Price: $1,250.00
