DICTIONARIUM POLYGRAPHICUM:OR, THE WHOLE BODY OF ARTS REGULARLY DIGEST

(BARROW, John) DICTIONARIUM POLYGRAPHICUM:OR, THE WHOLE BODY OF ARTS REGULARL DIGESTED London: C. Hitch and C. Davis, 1735. 8vo., 2 vols. Contemporary full calf. Engraved frontispiece, ii, 556;526 pages. 53 of 54 plates. First Edition.{Schimmelman, Books of Art, 18.} A good copy of the first edition of this very extensive illustrated dictinary devoted to the arts in the broadest sense, covering not just the terms and processes used in drawing, painting, sculpture, and engraving, but also those used in wood carving, metal working, enamelling, dyeing, tapestry, weaving, a the preparation of colors and inks. This copy unfortananlty lacks (for no obvious reason) plate VII in the second volume, but there are not visible sig it was ever there. The original binding is intact letting us know that this the way it was originally bound. This popular arts dictionary is recorded in the libraries of William Byrd of Westover Plantation and also of Philip Ludwell Lee of Stratford Hall Plantation.Even Thomas Jefferson knew of this book and sought to acquire one without success. Copies were also found in the Charleston Library Society, Library Company of Philadelphia as well as Union Library company in Philadelphia. Very good. (40781). (Inventory #: 40781)