The History of the Colleges of Winchester, Eton, and Westminster; with the Charter-House, the School of St. Paul’s, Merchant Taylors, Harrow, and Rugby, and the Free-School of Christ’s Hospital by ACKERMANN R [Rudolph] 1764-1834 - 1816

London: 101, Strand.: R. Ackermann, 1816 First edition, complete with forty eight hand coloured plates. In late 19c handsome crimson straight-grain morocco, decorative gilt rectangular & diamond panels, by Rivière & Son, spine gilt in compartments, inner gilt dentelles, t.e.g., others uncut, slightly rubbed at joints and edges, light staining to covers, [3], (iv-vi), [1] pl list, [1], [1], 2-56 Winchester College; [1], 2-72 Eaton College; [1], 2-27 Westminster School, [1], 2-32 Charter House; [1], 2-34 St. Pauls; [1], 2-22 Merchant Taylors School; [1], 2-40 Harrow; [1], 2-34 Rugby; [1], 2-43 Christ's Hospital; t.e.g., remainder uncut, 48 fine hand-coloured aquatint plates, with plate 23 'Westminster School Room' in second state with masters wearing mortar boards and plate 26 'Charter House from the Play Ground' in third state with boys playing cricket, list of subscribers, plate 11 'Eton College from the River' with tiny abrasion to sky, plates water-marked 1812-1821, an excellent clean example. (large 4to, 344*285 mm). [Abbey Scenery 440; Tooley 3]. As a publisher Ackermann was both creative and efficient, bringing to the commercial production of colour plate books innovative techniques and an uncompromising attention to detail which ensured uniform high quality. ODNB.