Historical and Descriptive Accounts of the Theatres of London:
London: Printed for J. Taylor, 1826, 1826. Item #06225
London’s Principal Theatres during the Georgian Era as shown in
Fourteen Fine Hand Colored Aquatint Plates
BRAYLEY, Edward Wedlake. HAVELL, Daniel (illustrator). Historical and Descriptive Accounts of the Theatres of London: Illustrated with a view of each theatre, elegantly coloured, drawn and engraved by the late Daniel Havell. London: Printed for J. Taylor, Architectural Library, 1826.
First Edition. Large quarto (12 5/8 x 9 7/8 inches; 321 x 251 mm.). [iv], [vi], [1]-92, [1]-4, 16pp. Fourteen hand-colored aquatint plates and two aquatint plans. Four of the plates are watermarked "1826" and the text is watermarked "1823".
Publisher's drab boards, uncut, corners worn, expertly rebacked to style with a later printed paper label on spine. Housed in a quarter green morocco over green cloth clamshell case, spine with five raised bands, decoratively ruled and lettered in gilt in compartments. Some scattered light foxing but still an exceptional example in the original boards uncut.
A rare and valuable study of London’s principal theatres during the Georgian era, this collaborative work by antiquarian Edward Wedlake Brayley and landscape painter William Havell offers detailed historical and architectural accounts of venues such as Drury Lane, Covent Garden, and the Haymarket. Emphasizing both structural design and cultural significance, the volume captures a transitional moment in theatrical architecture and urban aesthetics. Issued by J. Taylor—London’s foremost publisher of architectural works—this book combines scholarly narrative with visual artistry, making it an important resource for historians of the stage and Georgian design. Each of the fourteen colored plates is given significant supportive text on the history of the building and the plays historically performed.
This was the final work of Daniel Havell (1785-1822).
OCLC/KVK locate just four copies in libraries and institutions worldwide: The Art Institute of Chicago (IL, US); University of Pennsylvania (PA, US); McMaster University (ON, CA), and the University of London Library (UK).
The plates:
1. Theatre Royal, Drury Lane (watermarked "1826")
2. Theatre Royal, Covent Garden
3. The King's Theatre. or Italian Opera House, Haymarket
4. Theatre Royal, Haymarket, or Little Theatre
5. English Opera House, Strand (watermarked "1826")
6. Pantheon, Oxford Street
7. Sadler's Wells, Islington
8. Astley's Royal Amphitheatre, Bridge Road, Westminster
9. Surrey Theatre, St. George's Fields
10. East London Theatre, Wells Street, Goodman's Fields (watermarked "1826")
11. The Regency, or West London Theatre, Tottenham Street
12. Adelphi Theatre, Strand
13. Olympic Theatre, Drury Lane
14. Royal Coburg Theatre, Waterloo Road, Lambeth
15. Ground Plans of Drury Lane and Covent Garden Theatres (watermarked "1826")
16. Ground Plan of the Opera House and Haymarket Theatres
Abbey, Scenery 227; Bobins 620; Prideaux, p. 328; Not in Tooley.
Price: $7,500.00