For over 150 years the British Architectural Library has accumulated and preserved a collection of architectural works. "Early Printed Books Catalogue 1478-1840" describes in detail the Early Imprints section of the Library, covering some 4,200 of the world's finest architectural works. The catalogue reflects all areas of architecture and the related arts and sciences -- including interior decoration, ornament, perspective, civil engineering, archaeology, local topography, and landscape and garden design. It features a wide range of works, encompassing pattern books, price books, travel books, guide books, builders' manuals and official reports. The collection accommodates almost all the major treatises from the period before 1841, including rare and important works from the likes of Vitruvius, Alberti and Palladio, and a magnificent collection of Piranesi's etchings for example.
Each entry includes a detailed bibliographical description of the contents -- full title-page transcription, pagination statement, collation, detailed description of letterpress and graphic contents, references and notes. The notes compare the collection's copy with those in other libraries, explaining the different editions, the publishing history and importance of the text and illustrative material. "Early Printed Books Catalogue 1478-1840" is a prime source of information not only on architectural history but also on publishing history in the era of handpress printing. With the publishing of the 5th volume this work is now complete.
