1855 Stirling-Maxwell Velazqvez and His Works

Sir William Stirling-Maxwell's Velazqvez and His Works, London 1855, the first separate edition and the earliest English monograph devoted to Diego Velázquez. Stirling drew the core text from his 1848 Annals of the Artists of Spain but rewrote it substantially for this volume, adding the first catalogue ever attempted of prints after Velázquez, compiled from his own collection and that of Charles Morse. Bound in full polished calf with gilt roll borders, red spine label, and gilt edges. Inscribed by a previous owner in 1920.

[d]Author | Sir William Stirling-Maxwell

[d]Title | Velazqvez and His Works

[d]Publisher | John W. Parker and Son, West Strand, London

[d]Date | 1855

[d]Edition | First separate edition

[d]Binding | Full polished calf, gilt roll borders, red spine label, gilt spine date, gilt page edges

[d]Pages | xix, 256 pages, including the Catalogue of prints after works of Velazquez (pages 237 to 256)

[d]Features | Decorative red and black title page with engraved portrait vignette of Velázquez

[d]Inscription | Handwritten 1920 presentation inscription on the front endpaper

[d]Dimensions | 6.75 in H x 4.5 in W x 1 in D

[d]Language | English

[d]Origin | England

[condition] The full calf binding shows rubbing, scuffing, and surface abrasion across the boards, with corner wear and visible loss and chipping at the head of the spine. The gilt roll borders remain strong and the red label and gilt date on the spine are clear. The interior shows foxing, most pronounced at the endpapers and early leaves, with a small stain near the contents opening. A handsome working copy of an important early Velázquez monograph, presenting honestly for its age and showing well on the shelf despite the spine wear.