An original Victorian folio volume of The Baronial and Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Scotland, Volume IV, by the Scottish architect and antiquarian Robert William Billings. Published as part of Billings' landmark four-volume survey of Scotland's most significant castles, churches, abbeys and historic buildings, the work remains one of the most important nineteenth-century references on Scottish architectural heritage.
This volume contains finely executed engraved plates accompanied by detailed historical and architectural descriptions, documenting buildings throughout Scotland including Melrose Abbey, Paisley Abbey, Newark Castle, Pinkie House, Lincluden College and numerous other important sites. The large-format illustrations capture many monuments before later restoration or alteration, making the work valuable both historically and architecturally.
Bound in the original publisher's green cloth with gilt decoration to the upper board, this is an increasingly sought-after reference for collectors of Scottish history, architecture and antiquarian books.
Key Details
- Title: The Baronial and Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Scotland
- Author & Illustrator: Robert William Billings
- Volume: IV (of four)
- Publication Dates: Originally issued in parts between 1845–1852
- Publisher: William Blackwood & Sons, Edinburgh; John Murray, London
- Binding: Original publisher's green cloth with gilt decoration
- Format: Large folio
- Language: English
- Illustrations: Numerous engraved architectural plates with accompanying descriptive text
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Subjects Covered Include:
- Melrose Abbey
- Paisley Abbey
- Newark Castle
- Lincluden College
- Pinkie House
- Michael Kirk, Elgin
- St Monance Church
- Maybole
- Numerous Scottish castles, abbeys and ecclesiastical buildings
- Significance: One of the definitive nineteenth-century surveys of Scotland's medieval and Renaissance architecture.
Condition Report
- Original publisher's cloth binding retained.
- Gilt decoration to upper board remains bright.
- Spine complete but beginning to split at the upper joint with loss to the headcap.
- Wear and fraying to the head and foot of the spine.
- Corners bumped with exposed board.
- Binding remains intact and serviceable.
- Internally clean with generally bright pages.
- Engraved plates retain good impressions.
- Light scattered foxing and occasional age toning, as expected.
- Appears substantially complete, although plate count should be verified before sale.
- Overall a good, honest working copy of this important architectural reference.