1812 ❧ First use of British lithography in a printed book. The History of the Abbey Church of St Peter's Westminster London: R. Ackermann, 1812. Folio (340 x 280 mm). 83 plates (comprising 81 hand-colored aquatint views after A. Pugin, F. Mackenzie, T. Uwins and others, 1 uncolored engraved portrait, and 1 uncolored engraved floorplan). Typical offsetting from plates, occasional spotting. Modern red morocco gilt by Sangorski and Sutcliffe. Provenance: Abel Berland (bookplate). FIRST EDITION, corrected issue with credit to Pugin on the engraved title to volume 2. One of the cornerstone masterpieces of 19th-century aquatint book production. Following the grand success of his Microcosm of London, Rudolph Ackermann embarked on this exhaustive visual documentation of Westminster Abbey, utilizing his specialized London print studio to execute meticulously hand-colored architectural rendering proofs. The first plate in volume II bears the corrected credit line reading 'A. Pugin delt.' denoting the second issue. Abbey, Scenery, 213 & 214; Tooley 2. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing