HALFPENNY, Joseph. Gothic Ornaments in the Cathedral Church of York. , York: J. Todd & Sons, 1795.

Full-Leather. Very Good. First edition. 46 + (i) + (3)pp subscribers + additional leaf of subscrbers noting ‘names in the order of their being given'. engraved title-page and 105 etched plates (2 hand-coloured). A very good ‘family' copy bound in contemporary reverse calf, with red morocco label. Corners slightly bumped, and minor wear to the foot of the spine. Tiny worm track to the top margin of several plates. Mary and William Halfpenny's copy, signed on the front end paper by Wm. Halfpenny, 1798, with an inscription below in the same hand "Mr Joseph Halfpenny, author of this book died July 11th 1811, aged 62." Also signed by Mary Halfpenny on the preliminary blank. 4to. York. J. Todd and Sons. 1795 - [1800]. In 1770 John Carr the architect and Lord Mayor of York surveyed the Minster fabric, and from the scaffolding then erected to repair the building, artists were able to produce measured, architectural views of the greatest value to architects... Joseph Halfpenny, a local draughtsman, became Carr's clerk of works, and he etched many detailed drawings on 105 plates to form his Gothic Ornaments published in 20 parts between 1795 and 1800. Halfpenny's magnificent production was one of the earliest contributions to the development of the gothic revival in England, and quoting from William Chambers in his preface notes that "of Gothic Architecture [he] speaks in terms of the highest respect... with a view to encourage and bring forward an undertaking so warmly recommended I have been induced to exhibit this selection of Gothic Ornaments..." (Book ref. 105460)  £600.00

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