Folio (350 x 233 mm). Bound in contemporary cat’s paw calf Cambridge style, the spine divided into seven compartments with raised bands, old paper labels to the second and fifth compartments; [1f.], [xx], 159 (misnumbered 156), [1]pp., including additional engraved title-page and 42 engraved plates, (40 full-page, 2 within the text), numerous wood- and copper engraved head- and tail-pieces, woodcut initials; light marginal toning, occasional old ink spots, otherwise a clean, crisp copy.

Provenance: ‘From Burwell Park Library May 19 - 1885’ inscribed in pencil to the recto of the front free endpaper. The house at Burwell Park Lincolnshire was built in 1760 for Matthew Lister. It was demolished in 1958.

First English edition, accurately translated by John Evelyn from the original French edition of 1650. With a printed dedication to Charles II, and Sir John Denham, Surveyor of the King’s Works. Evelyn had purchased a copy of the French edition shortly after publication and commenced translating it a few years later. The possibility of publishing an English edition was given impetus when the architect Hugh May, acquired accurate Continental copies of the original plates and wood-blocks. The BAL Early Printed Books catalogue notes that publication of the English edition of the Parallel ‘can be seen as part of Evelyn’s general concern for the encouragement of the arts in England:’.

Intended for an intellectual market, rather than the building profession, Fréart’s aim in the Parallel had been to demonstrate the superiority of the forms and proportions of the buildings of the ancients over those of the moderns. However, as a result of the clarity of the finely engraved plates, further editions did attract builders and artisans.

BAL Early Printed Books 1133; Fowler 128; Harris/Savage 230.

Stock number: 1229