Household Furniture and Interior Decoration, Executed from Designs - Thomas Hope 1807 - T. Bensley for Longman, London - First Edition A large folio first edition of the “most important English furniture design book of the early nineteenth century” [Musgrave]. The first to document Regency style, it contains what is considered the earliest use of the term “interior decoration” introduced into the English language.

Illustrated throughout with sixty copper engraved plates from drawings by Hope, and an additional engraved title page, this work contributed to the fashion for mixing styles (Greek, Roman, Turkish, Chinese, etc.) eclectically by depicting the furnishings, made to his own designs, in his Duchess Street house.

Dedicated to the classical ideal, Hope (1769-1831) used his considerable fortune to influence taste, specifically to influence modern design according to classical standards. The publication of ‘
Household Furniture’ successfully served his didactic aims, and influenced subsequent generations of designers up to the modern day.
  References: Abbey, Life, 24. Archer, The Literature of British Domestic Architecture, 448 1. Royal Institute of British Architects, 1547. Musgrave, 1970 facsimile edition.

Large folio (binding size 47x30.7cm), pp. [6] 53 [3].
  Bound in later half brown calf over matching cloth, spine lettered and ruled in gilt.   Condition: Very good, foxed, less so to plates, in fine binding.   Ref: 111610   Price: HK$ 18,000