[Cloth-backed lithographic engraving.] A Chart of Anglican Church Architecture: Arranged Chronologically with Examples of the Different Styles.

Author: 
F. Bedford [Francis Bedford (1816-1894), lithographer and photographer; R. Sunter, York publisher; John Weale, London publisher; Standidge & Co., London printers]
Publication details: 
Drawn and Lithographed by F. Bedford, 40 Ely Place, Holborn. Published as the Act directs by R. Sunter, 23 Stonegate, York, and John Weale, 59 High Holborn, London: 17 August 1843. Printed by Standidge & Co. 77 Cornhill, London.
£180.00
SKU: 12607

An attractive Gothic Revival item, tastefully printed in red and black. Printed on nine 13 x 9 cm panels, laid down on a cloth backing opening out to 39.5 x 28 cm; in original 14 x 10 cm printed card cover, with engraved title on front, within a gothic arch. In fair condition: aged and worn in worn and rubbed covers, with small white circular label on front board. Arranged, appropriately enough, in four columns headed: Name of Style; Reign A.D.; Illustrative Examples; Characteristics. The seven styles are given as: Saxon; Norman; Transition or Semi-Norman; Early English or Lancet; Decorated; Perpendicular Florid or Plantagenet; and Debased. Uncommon: the only copies on COPAC at the British Library, Bodleian and Rylands, with the only other copy of any other edition a copy of the fifth edition of 1844 at York Minster. According to Bedford's entry in the Oxford DNB, such youthful illustrations of 'the ecclesiastical architecture of London and York' as this item are thought to have 'brought him to the attention of the celebrated publishers and lithographers Day & Sons, whose innovative and costly production techniques placed them at the forefront of printing technology. Bedford's role at Day & Sons was to transfer the drawings and designs of artists intended as illustrations directly on to the lithographic stone in preparation for printing, a procedure that was both exacting and highly regarded.'