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Summary
Author: (Whately, Thomas)
Title: Observations on modern gardening, illustrated by descriptions.
Publication: London, T.Payne 1770.
Price: Sold
Reference: 11308
Full Description
8vo. (8) + 257 + (1)pp. Contemporary quarter calf, neatly rebacked. Ink ownership inscription of M.Andover (Mary, Viscountess Andover) on title leaf, also late eighteenth century armorial bookplate of her son-in-law Richard Howard (1733-1818), of Ashtead, Surrey, and Levens Hall, Westmorland. Subsequently Arthur Oswald’s copy (pencil note by Sir Howard Colvin) and Sir Howard Colvin’s copy (with his ownership inscription).
First edition, published without its author being identified, of this influential and well-written treatise on landscape gardening by Thomas Whately (c.1728-1772), private secretary, confidant and supporter of the statesman George Grenville and parliamentary whip to Grenville’s followers in the House of Commons. Whately’s social position was such that, as the text of the book shows, he had been able to inspect the gardens at Blenheim, Caversham, Claremont, Esher Place, Hagley, The Leasowes, Moor Park, Painshill, Persfield, Stowe, Wotton House (George Grenville’s residence in Buckinghamshire) and Woburn Farm in Weybridge, Surrey, and he comments intelligently on each of these. The earliest recorded owner of the present copy was Mary, Viscountess Andover, whose son, the 12th Earl of Suffolk, was one of Whately’s closest friends.