Oxford Books

Although we predominantly deal in antiquarian prints and maps we do have a great little selection of Illustrated,  Oxford related books. From 19th Century guides to the city to high quality aquatinted views of the colleges such as this example by Malton:

Second enlarged edition. 24 Aquatints and 6 line engravings. Fine condition throughout with almost no foxing. A hand-written inscription by Anthony Gardner at the back of the book reveals it was restored in July 1968, half-bound in Japanese hand-made paper and Nigerian goatskin.

Thomas Malton came from an artistic family, both his father and his brother James were accomplished architects and architectural draughtsmen. Thomas Malton gave drawing lessons from his London flat in Conduit Street between 1783 and 1789 and amongst his pupils was the young J.M.W. Turner.

Malton's Views of Oxford was one of the most important aquatint books; however, the work was never completed as Malton dies in 1804 just after he published six of the engravings for the fourth part of the work. Six plates had already been engraved in etched state in preparation for the next part and these unfinished plates appeared together with the 24 aquatints when the entire work was reprinted in 1810.

The present copy comprises of the full set of 24 aquatints and six etchings with the amended 1810 title page.