Beschreibung:

[Architecture] Dorregaray, Jose Gil (editor) Monumentos Arquitectónicos de España Madrid: Imprenta Y Calcografía Nacional, 1859-1879. In nine volumes. First edition. Folio. Illustrated with 253 lithographic and engraved plates (of approximately 280), some chromolithographic, some heightened in gold. Ex-library with book-plates on paste-downs, perforated and ink stamps to each title-page, scattered perforated stamps to text, all plates with perforated stamps at bottom margin. Green library-style buckram binding, worn, bumped, some spines torn and starting to detach; all edges gilt (volumes 1-6), top edge gilt (volume 7-9); text and plate volumes lightly toned, occasionally foxed, occasionally chipped. From the library of Philadelphia banker and developer Clarence H. Clark, Sr as noted on the book-plate. Clark 1641, Palau 179936. Sold with all faults. Initiated with the support of the Spanish Ministry of Public Works in the early 19th ce, Monumentos Arquitectonicos de Espana sought to record the architectural heritage of Spain's various provinces. Executed by students, historians, as well as an army of lithographers and engravers of the Special School of Architecture and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, it meticulously documents the range of Spanish architectural styles, including Roman, Christian, and Moorish. Considered one of the major publishing and printmaking endeavors of the 19th century in Europe, this is one of the most complete examples of this superbly illustrated study to come up for auction in recent time.