Plans, Sketches & Proposals for the Improvement of her Ladyship’s Villa lately Purchased, Call'd Brandsbury at Wilsden, in Middlesex

Digital facsimile

[31] leaves : col. ill., 2 maps (1 folded) ; 22 x 31 cm.

Autograph manuscript, signed.

Title extracted from dedication on leaf [1] : "To the Honourable Lady Salusbury, these plans, sketches & proposals ...."

Date from dedication page.

Leaf [19] is inscribed: Brandsbury in Middlesex, a seat of the the Hona. Lady Salusbury (in continuation). The letter on the following leaf, addressed to Lady Salusbury, is dated December 1790.

Each page of handwritten text is centered, framed within a double border of double lines. The first 10 leaves of text, including the dedication page, are bordered in red; leaves [19] forward have texts bordered in blue.

Includes a watercolor plan, a folded watercolor map, and 9 watercolor illustrations (one a double-leaf), 2 with overlays. Most drawings and plans are tipped-in or attached to page stubs; a few of the drawings have been pasted directly onto a bound-in page. Image with overlay on leaf [15] is not an original drawing but a hand-colored plate.

Repton's illustrated engraved trade card is pasted on verso of front free endpaper.

Pasted on recto of back free endpaper is a leaf containing 3 columns of printed text, with heading: "The form of certain clauses to be inserted in leases, to prevent them from checking the progress of planting or improvements." The purpose of the document was to give the landlord suggestions for conditions to be placed on tenants with regard to the improved landscape.

Bound in full brown leather with gilt-tooled ornamental band bordering covers, gilt-ornamental tooling on four raised bands of spine and along endcaps; marbled endpapers.

In leather clamshell box.

Although Brandsbury was Repton's third commission, this is the very first Red book he prepared.

English

Brandsbury (Brent, London, England); Brandsbury (Brent, London, England) -- Pictorial works -- Early works to 1800.; Landscape architecture -- England -- London -- Early works to 1800.; Landscape architecture -- England -- London -- Early works to 1800 -- Pictorial works.; Gardens -- England -- London.; Gardens -- Design.