'Signed' Vintage Historical Book – Longleat Mansion - Illustrated Britian

Book opens: "The first impression of Longleat, looking down on it from heaven’s Gate is gentle; gentle because its colours blend with sky, the distant hills, and the trees. Longleats history begins with a priory, which stood on this site in the late thirteenth century, occupied by the Black Canons of the Order of St. Augustine and dedicated to St. Radegund.” In recent years, a well known BBC show ‘Animal Park’ has featured the “Longleat” mansion and some of its colorful history including that it opened the first drive through “Safari park” in 1966.

Staterooms: The State Dining Room used by successive owners of Longleat to entertain royalty and other dignitaries including Queen Elizabeth I and II. Seven libraries at Longleat, housing more than 40,000 books. The “Lower Dining Room” has early 17th-century copy of painting of Sir John Thynne, the Builder of Longleat. The ornate encrusted ceiling is by Crace and adapted from Ducal Palace in Venice. The “Salon Room” was created late 17th century, then known as Long Gallery. Ceiling was inspired by Palazzo Massimo in Rome. Massive Carrara marble fireplace by Crace, was copied from one in the Doge’s Palace in Venice and is signed by its Italian maker, Valentino and much more.

It is a hardcover book, pictorial cover - Signed by Author on title page - 'Bath'. Lovely illustrated board covers by Adprint Ltd, illustrated endpapers, pages nice quality using Monotype Plantin type on Mellotex paper. measures 7.25" x 5", 52 pages. It is in excellent to very good vintage condition. Cover is bright & clean, light edgewear, light bow to cover; spine few small tears on edge of spine. Pages are excellent, bright & clean, minimal general wear including little page buckling, few small endpaper spots(small name top right corner of endpaper) The binding is tight. No dustjacket issued.

Item ID: BK899