A COLLECTION OF DESIGNS FOR MODERN EMBELLISHMENTS

BUSBY, Charles Augustus.  A COLLECTION OF DESIGNS FOR MODERN EMBELLISHMENTS SUITABLE TO PARLOURS, DINING & DRAWING ROOMS, FOLDING DOORS, CHIMNEY PIECES, VARANDAS, FRIZES, &c

London: J. Taylor, (circa 1810). Oblong 4to. Contemporary wrappers, housed in later cloth portfolio. 25 engraved plates, mostly colored. First edition. [Berlin Catalogue, 4000; RIBA, page 166].

The author's second book published when he was only twenty-two.  This work focuses on interior designs for English houses.  The plates are nicely hand-colored giving a true feel for Regency period housing.  Busby was one of the principal creators of Regency Brighton, designing both Kemp Town and the Brunswick estates.  A precocious architect and designer, he exhibited his first drawing at the Royal Academy when he was thirteen.  Bankrupt at age twenty-six, he briefly travelled to America before reestablishing himself in Brighton.  Bound-in is an eight-page catalogue of architecture books sold by J. Taylor.  Rare.  Not in Abbey.  While OCLC cites eight copies in American libraries, we could not find another copy in commerce.  Slight edge wear else a very good copy.

 

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