The History of the King's Works, Volume V (1660-1782)

xxiv, 536pp. Illustrated with maps and plans etc, including some large fold-out plans. Original correction slip laid in. Red cloth-covered boards with gilt titles to spine (boards clean, bright, crisp). Mark on front free endpaper suggesting the tidy removal of a bookplate else internally neat, clean, bright and tight. In its original dust jacket (a little rubbed at edges and lightly chipped on corners). Volume V, covering 1660-1782 of the monumental series issued by HMSO in the 1970s providing a history of public building in England from the Middle Ages to the mid-19th century (when the Royal Office of the King's Works finally became a department of state accountable to Parliament). This volume covers the period from the restoration of the Monarchy in 1660 to the reforms of 1782 which marked the end of the Office of Public Works. For 50 of these 122 years, the Surveyor-General of the Royal Works was Sir Christopher Wren, and his Surveyorship is the subject of much of this volume. A large and heavy volume which will likely incur an additional charge for overseas shipping.

public building, public works, sir Christopher wren, Architecture, royal building,