19. London, William Pickering, 1833, first edition , large paper edition, in-folio format ( 36,5 x 26,5 cm ) , (6) nn pp + 18 pp + 40 leaves with descriptions, and 59 etched or lithographed plates heightened with printed colouring and hand-colouring. + final addendum leaf ( complete). Bound in 19th century half morocco, marbled boards, all edges gilt. Some rubbing to the gilt spine and joints, corners with some traces of use, head of spine a bit chipped. Inside : a very good , clean and stainless copy. This is a fine copy of the large-paper issue . In this edition the plates were hand finished and illuminated in real gold, rather than yellow watercolour. The first 4 plates have a highly burnished background of gold leaf.. The book was issued in 12 monthly parts each containing 5 plates. It started in June 1830. The plain issue costed 3s 6d. The coloured edition costed 7s 6d. The copy on offer here, printed in a very limited number in format Imperial Quarto, with the ornaments more highely finished in opaque colours and heightened with gold was at 15s per part (!) ( from the prospectus). A very fine copy, with illustrations which nearly match the mediaeval originals in beauty. This book is one of the finest 19th c. publications on mediaeval Western manuscripts and a gorgeous illustration of the revival of the interest in these manuscripts.