John Taylor — Picturesque Old Bristol

Bristol, Frost and Reed, 1885. Leather. A very scarce limited edition study on the beauties of old Bristol, one of one-hundred and twenty-five copies of this illustrated work. A very scarce work.The Unlettered Proof Edition, a limited edition of one-hundred and twenty-five copies, of which this is numbered seven.Volume I is illustrated with a frontispiece, and twenty-six plates. Volume II is illustrated with twenty-six plates.Half-title is present to each volume.Collated, complete. A valuable record on historical Bristol.This expansive work looks at the beauty and charm of the city of Bristol, exampled strikingly in the detailed plates by Charles Bird.There are illustrations of old houses in King Street, on the City Wall, the Three Kings Inn, the Jolly Sailor, St Peter's Hospital, Colston's School, the Tower of St Stephen, the Crypt of St Nicholas, as well as St Mary Redcliffe.Charles Bird was a printmaker, a Mezzotint engraver and etcher whose specialty was architectural and sporting paintings. One of his most noted illustrations is a Victorian cricket match at Clifton College. The British Museum notes that on the 1881 census there was a 25 year old Charles Bird with the occupation of a Lithographic artist who was born in Bristol lodging in City Road which may be him.With accompanying text by John Taylor, an author and librarian from Bristol. Taylor was a regular contributor to the 'Bristol Times' and was librarian of the Museum Reference Library. Other works he has written include 'Tintern Abbey and its Founders', 'Guide to Clifton and its Neighbourhood', 'Bristol and Clifton Old and New&apos. In a half morocco binding with cloth to the boards. Externally, generally smart, with rubbing to the leather. Head of the spine of Volume I is lifting, a small amount of loss to the tail. Small chip to the head of the rear joint. Cloth is a little discoloured with light marks. Small chip to the head of the rear board of Volume I. Front hinge of Volume I is strained, rear hinge is starting. Hinges of Volume II are starting. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean with some scattered spots. Good . Ill.: Charles Bird. Good .