A Treatise on Forming, Improving and Managing Country Residences by John Loudon
A highly influential, two-volume first edition published in 1806 by Scottish landscape architect John Claudius Loudon. Loudon’s primary objective is to unite the taste and beauty found in nature with economy and utility. He argues against the rigid, artificial geometry of contemporary landscape design, instead promoting approaches that respect natural topography and capture the picturesque. The work covers site selection, the relationship between the mansion and its grounds, architectural diversity, suitability and functional land management.
Interestingly, Loudon uses the work to examine the methods of Humphry Repton, a leading landscape designer who used his celebrated Red Books (illustrated reports proposing landscape improvements). Loudon critiques Repton’s ideas and practices, making this set more than a gardening manual: it is also a documented debate about landscape design at a time when country estates were closely associated with wealth, status and taste.
This two-volume set would therefore be ideal for collectors and those with an interest in architectural history, landscape design, horticulture and the history of English country houses.
Both volumes are complete, comprising pp. vii–723, with an appendix, 32 engraved plates and a double-page illustration.
The books are bound in leather and feature intricate gilt decoration to the front and rear boards. The spines are extensively ornamented, with slightly raised bands, gilt titling and decorative tooling.
Both volumes display age-related wear, particularly scuffing and marking to the leather covers. Internally, the pages remain bright and clean, with very little foxing. Although some ink transfer is present from the illustrations, both text and images remain bright and fully legible.
The two books are being sold for £900.
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