BECKFORD, William (1759-1844) – MADDOX, Willes (1813-1853). Views of Lansdown Tower, Bath. The Favorite Edifice of the Late William Beckford Esqr.Bath: Edmund English, Jr.; London: Thomas McLean, 1844.

Color plate book documenting the eccentric collector and novelist's famous neoclassical retreat. Beckford had the tower built in 1827 to designs by Henry Goodridge for use as a library, with the crowning cupola providing picturesque views of the local landscape. The architectural folly was built with money Beckford inherited and continued to earn from the slave trade, as well as compensation paid to him following the abolition of slavery. The book reproduces drawings by Willes Maddox in lithographs by C.J. Richardson. Maddox later gained a reputation for painting the portraits of eminent Turks, and took up an invitation from the Sultan to work in Istanbul. Abbey Scenery420.

Folio (540 x 362mm). Chromolithographic title with hand-colored vignette, subscribers’ list, lithographic dedication, 13 hand-colored lithographic plates mounted on 12 card leaves, and 6 tinted lithographs in text, by C.J. Richardson after Maddox (some spotting, especially on text leaves). Contemporary quarter morocco over moiré cloth, titling on cover (sunned, extremities worn).