Gibbs (James) A Book of Architecture containing Designs of Buildings and Ornaments, first edition, [one of 550 copies], list of subscribers, 150 engraved plates by H. Hulsbergh and others after Gibbs, 4 double-page, title a little soiled and creased, paper flaw creases to plate 53, a few with pencil sketches to margins, marginal water-staining to a few plates (mainly to last couple just touching corner of final plate), slight worming to fore-margin of plates 130 to end, old ink inscription "Thomas Rasell Chichester" to front free endpaper, modern bookplate, modern half vellum, tan morocco label, [Berlin Kat 2334; Fowler 138; Harris 257; Millard British 22], folio, [William Bowyer], 1728.

⁂ "The first book by a British architect consisting entirely of his own designs, executed and projected". (Harris). An enormously influential pattern book, reaching far beyond the country gentlemen at whom it was aimed, to India, South Africa, the West Indies, and America, where it was a primary source for the builders of the White House. There was also a copy in Thomas Jefferson's library.