Oxonia Illustrata, by [LOGGAN David] 1635-1700? - 1675

Oxoniae e Theatro Sheldoniano, 1675. 1st Edition . Hardcover. Very Good. Elephant Folio - over 15 - 23" tall. LOGGAN David. The first accurate representation of all the buildings and gardens of the university. VG+, 1675, 1st ed, 5 eng. leaves + 40 stunning plates, as called for. In contemporary boxed calf, elaborate gilt tooling. Spine, raised bands, gilt tooling & titles, some loss at edges. Internally, 4 engraved preliminary leaves (ie Title leaf, Dedication leaf, Privilege leaf, Spectator leaf), plus the Engraved Index leaf to the rear, with 40 plates (39 double leaf, 1 triple leaf & includes 3 plates with 2 views each), red marbled endpapers, a.e.g., short old paper repair to 1 leaf along print line, last leaf chipped at bottom corner, book plate to fpd (DG Humphreys), a few chips to edges, some light offsetting to text leaves. But a Very Good + copy of an uncommon book!. (305*441 mm) 'The Oxonia Illustrata was evidently intended as a companion to Wood's History and Antiquities of the University of Oxford, published in 1674, for the table of contents gives, opposite each plate, a reference to the page of that work where the history of the building represented is to be found; and the two books were given together by the university to distinguished visitors.' (DNB). Madan 3035; RIBA II:1914; Wing L-2838. Loggan, artist and engraver whose meticulously detailed views were the first accurate representation of all the buildings and gardens of the university, and they have been an invaluable quarry for historians, antiquaries, and topographers ever since. See ODNB. A mezzotint portrait of James, Duke of Ormond is sometimes prefixed to this volume, but does not belong to it - Lowndes p1384.