NASH (Paul W.) SAVAGE (Nicholas) BEASLEY (Gerald) MERITON (John) & SHELL (Alison) Compilers.. Early Printed Books 1478-1840: Catalogue of the British Architectural Library's Early Imprints Collection. Volume 1: A-D.1994

London: Bower-Saur, Large 4to, volume one only, xlviii, 538pp., frontis., 35 illustrs., orig. publishers green cloth, lettered in gilt. Early Printed Books includes detailed bibliographical descriptions of some 4200 books published between 1478 and 1840. As well as conventional bibliographical details (transcriptions of titlepages, collations, tables of contents, etc.) the illustrative elements of each work are described in unprecedented detail, in a manner specially developed for this publication. At the end of each entry, before a description of the RIBA's copy, there are notes which attempt to set the work in its context, to illuminate its history, critical reception and impact, and to discuss variations and peculiarities in its physical make-up. In many cases these notes are extensive and form, in effect, sustained historical essays on the works and authors under discussion. With the most important authors, attempts have been made to supply complete bibliographies, in addition to the detailed studies of the editions owned by the RIBA Library. Early Printed Books forms the most comprehensive bibliography of architecture and the related arts and sciences ever published. Each volume is illustrated with plates, reproducing woodcuts, engravings, lithographs and text-pages from the works described. Volume 1. A-D (Academie-Dyce) With a foreword by Eileen Harris and an introduction by David Dean. This first volume contains descriptions of 960 books, among them important works by Robert Adam, L.B. Alberti (including the 1485 first edition of De Re Aedificatoria), the Blondels, John Britton, Sir William Chambers, Thomas Chippendale, A.B. Desgodetz and J.N.L. Durand.