[First Edition] Fine Art William Michael Rossetti [Used - Very good] [Hardcover]

Publication: London and Cambridge, Macmillan and Co., 1867. Formatting: 8vo, pp. xx, 392. Condition Report: Very Good. The book is bound in its original publisher's red cloth, which remains remarkably bright and well-preserved. The gilt titling and ruled borders on the spine and boards are sharp and unoxidised, maintaining their original luster. There is only minimal rubbing to the spine ends and corners, with no significant fraying or structural bumping. The binding itself remains impressively tight, square, and structurally sound. Internally, the text block is highly legible; while the uncut page edges and some margins exhibit the expected mild age-toning of Victorian paper stock, the leaves are entirely free of heavy foxing or moisture damage. Aside from historic signatures on the endpapers, the internal text remains clean and unmarred. Overall, an exceptionally solid and aesthetically pleasing copy. Catalogue Note: First edition of William Michael Rossetti's foundational collection of art criticism. While issued without illustrations, the volume is defined by its strong textual presence and compelling historical provenance. Most notably, the title and preliminary pages bear the striking oval ink stamp of "W.W. Sampson & Son, The British Galleries, 13 Air St., Regent St., London, W.". This associates the copy with a notable Victorian art dealer, perfectly complementing the book's subject matter. The front free endpaper features a clear Victorian ownership inscription in ink, reading "Louisa Charlotte Gray, 1869," alongside a subsequent penciled signature of "Mem Sampson," likely connecting the book's ownership directly back to the gallery family. First editions of Rossettiâs critical works in their original cloth, especially those avoiding the heavy handling wear typical of nineteenth-century reference volumes, are increasingly uncommon on the open market, making this gallery-associated copy particularly desirable. Fine Art, Chiefly Contemporary is a definitive collection of art criticism by William Michael Rossetti, a founding member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and one of the most influential cultural critics of the Victorian era. The work synthesizes Rossetti's penetrating essays on the evolving landscape of nineteenth-century art, exploring the nuances of style, technique, and philosophy that defined the period. It stands as a vital primary source for understanding the Pre-Raphaelite movement and the broader shifts in Victorian aesthetic sensibilities, offering readers a direct window into the minds that shaped British art.

Estimate:£128.73

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