Samuel & Nathaniel Buck (drawn and engraved by)
Prints of British Castles
from Buck's Antiquities or Venerable Remains of Above 400 Castles, &c., in England and Wales, with near 100 Views of Cities
Robert Sayer, London: 1774
7.5 x 15 inches, platemark (average approximate)
11.5 x 18.75 inches, overall (average approximate)
$250 to $450 each
See also: Buck's Map of England
Historic British Castles
Samuel & Nathaniel Buck, 1774
Samuel & Nathaniel Buck, 1774
Click on image to view enlargement and complete information.
The South-East View of Ewelm Palace, in the County of Oxford |
The East View of Dale Abbey near Derby |
The South View of a Religious Ruin, Near Chester |
The North East View of Warwick Castle |
The South-West View of Clatter-cote Priory, in the County of Oxford |
The West View of White Castle in the County of Monmouth |
The East View of the Inside of Eynsham Abby, Near Oxford |
Landscape views of historic castles and other buildings in Great Britain, original engraved in the early 18th century, and reissued in 1774 as part of a set popularly known as Buck's Antiquities, a compendium of views of British landmarks in three volumes.
Between roughly 1720 and 1752, Samuel Buck and his younger brother Nathaniel were topographical draftsmen and engravers who toured England and Wales to record the castles and abbeys of the country, creating an important document of medieval architecture. Many of the structures were already in disrepair or ruins at the time, so their engravings are important records of how they once appeared. The Bucks recorded over 400 sites together with close to 100 general views of English and Welsh cities and towns.
Over the course of a 50-year career, Robert Sayer (1725-1794) became one of the leading 18th century publishers of maps, charts, and prints. He also produced prints after George Stubbs, illustrations for novels, books on carpentry, and printed music. Upon his death in 1794, his business was succeeded by the partnership of Laurie and Whittle.
Condition: Generally very good, with the usual overall light toning, wear, soiling, soft creases. Few short marginal tears with old tape repairs verso. Glue residue from masking tape in top margin verso, where formerly hinged. One backed on linen.
References:
Maxted, Ian. "The London book trades 1775-1800: a preliminary checklist of members." Exeter Working Papers in British Book Trade History. U.K.: Devon Library and Information Services. 2001. http://www.devon.gov.uk/library/locstudy/bookhist/lonl.html, http://www.devon.gov.uk/library/locstudy/bookhist/lons.html and http://www.devon.gov.uk/library/locstudy/bookhist/lonw.html (17 March 2003).
Williams, Richard. "Samuel and Nathaniel Buck." The Castles of Wales. http://www.castlewales.com/bucks.html (22 August 2002).