Old Stirling, Measured and Drawn for the Stone, John William Small, 1897, Limited Edition 8/400

A very large Crown Folio size copy of this very scarce book, full of architectural illustrations of 'Old Stirling'. There are 50 large plates in total. Limited to just 400 numbered copies, this is No. 8.

Old Stirling, Measured and Drawn for the Stone, by 2.42k, F.S.A. Scot., Architect, Stirling.

Published by R.S. Shearer & Son, Stirling, 1897. First edition. Limited to 400 copies, this being No. 8 (hand numbered). Printed by George Waterston & Sons, Edinburgh.

Appears to be a Subscriber's edition, with the List of Subscribers included after the title page at the front of the book. Quite a luxurious publication at the time of its publication. Very scarce - first time we have seen a copy of this first edition. There was a subsequent edition in 1898, which is more commonplace. 

Sadly, only a fair copy of what should have been a beautiful publication. Everything is present as called for, but there has been damage over the years. With burgundy grained leather spine and buckram cloth over boards. Covers are heavily worn and the cloth is frayed, discolored, and nibbled at extremities. Outer joints with some cracking to front, and split to spine leather which has been re-glued. Various marks and stains - basically significantly damp damaged. All still bound, although cracked at gutter near the front.

One library stamp of "Burgh Architect - Town Planning Dept" to blank endpaper.

Text is all legible, and the pages clear due to high quality printing in the first place, but edges are damp stained and worn at margins, particularly top corners, and worsening to rear. Despite all faults, the printed areas of the impressive plates are nice and clear with most of the dampstaining at the marginal areas at the top of the vertical edge. The last 10 plates or so, are more frayed and nibbled to vertical edge.

Text in English.

2 blank endpaper leaves + (1) limitation page + (1) half title + (1) full title + (1) List of Subscribers + (2) General Remarks + (1) List of Plates + 50pp Plates grouped into 10 Sections, each with introduction + (1) Finis page + 2 blank endpaper leaves.

Dimensions: Crown folio size: Approximately 436mm high x 347mm wide x 25mm deep (approx 17 inches high x 13.5 inches wide).

Weight: Approximately 2.42kg (unpacked).