The Castles and Abbeys of England, From the National Records, Early Chronicles, and Other Standard Authors. [First and Second Series]
London: Virtue, Spalding, and Company, n.d. [c. 1860]. W.H. Bartlett and Others. Hardcover. Quarto. Near Fine. Item #33921
Two volumes. Pp. xvi, 352; viii, 362. With engraved frontis portrait and 37 fine engraved plates (by W.H. Bartlett and others) and nearly 200 textual engravings. Bound in contemporary crimson half morocco over pebble-grain cloth boards, spines attractively gilt in compartments to a floral motif between raised bands, coated endpapers, t.e.g. Light rubbing to extremities, minor foxing to fore-edges, but generally a fine set. The following castles and abbeys are portrayed by Beattie, each illustrated with many views and architectural details: Arundel Castle, St. Alban's Abbey, the Palace of Eltham, Rochester Castle, Tewkesbury Abbey, Kenilworth Castle, Watham Abbey, Carisbrooke Castle, Netley Abbey, Chepstow Castle, Tinterne Abbey on the Wye, Raglan Castle, Llanthony Abbey, Uske Castle, Pembroke Castle, Cardiff Castle, Manorbeer Castle, Kidwelly Castle. The following castles and abbeys are described but not illustrated: Tenby Castle, Neath Abbey, Llanstephan Castle, Laugharne Castle, Carew Castle, Margam Abbey. The Castles and Abbeys of England, First Series, was published in 1842; the Second Series in 1844. The present set is a later reprint (c. 1860) of both volumes. The Castles and Abbeys of England was one of several beautifully illustrated works which Beattie produced with the assistance of his friend and fellow traveller W.H. Bartlett. Others included Switerland Illustrated [1836], The Waldenses [1838], Scotland Illustrated [1838], and The Danube [1844]. He also edited the Scenic Annual for his close friend, the poet Thomas Campbell, and was the biographer of both Bartlett and Campbell. Beattie's works were very popular in his time, and his publisher, Mr. Virtue, once acknowledged that "the prosperity he had attained was mainly owing to Dr. Beattie's literary assistance" (DNB).
Price (CAD): $700.00