Author: Stewart, John.
Title: Critical observations on the buildings and improvements of London.
Description: London, J. Dodsley, 1771. (2),51 (& 53 interleaved pages with a 18th century translation in French handwriting and a few additional comments not translated from the text in the margins). Half roan over speckled marbled boards (with vellum corner-pieces). 4to. - Spine with some shelfwear; missing the spine's title. * Strikingly early discours on urban planning / public spaces in which the author discusses certain aspects of public places in the city. Stuart's urban theory was almost unprecedented with notions such as that perfects square which should appear to open naturally out of the street, for which reason all the avenues should form radii to the centre of places, in order to create a public place where not only carriages have room to turn and pass, but even where the people are able to assemble occasionally without confusion. Very rare publication, only few copies present in public collections. The interleaved sections with the translation was added very shortly after printing on water-marked paper and in 18th century handwritting. The origin / reason of this translation is unknown (although it might have been the manuscript for a publication in French language written by the author himself).

Keywords: Architecture Europe United Kingdom Town planning Architectuur Europa Groot-Brittannië Stedenbouw