1825 The Seasons by James Thomson – Leather Binding with 5 Westall Plates
 
Overview
 
A beautiful 1825 edition of The Seasons by James Thomson, bound in full green leather with gilt tooling and raised bands. This illustrated antiquarian volume includes a finely engraved title page and five plates facing pages iv, 42, 108, 158, and 198 – drawn by Richard Westall and engraved by Charles Rolls. Published by John Sharpe, Duke Street, Piccadilly and printed by C. & C. Whittingham, College House, Chiswick.
 
Complete with 203 pages, this is an overall neat and clean copy, now celebrating 200 years of history.
 
Historical Significance
 
James Thomson (1700–1748): Scottish poet best known for The Seasons, a work which helped bridge the transition between the Neoclassical and Romantic movements in English poetry. His vivid depictions of nature influenced later poets including Wordsworth and Shelley.
Illustration: This edition features artwork by Richard Westall (1765–1836), celebrated English painter and illustrator, and engravings by Charles Rolls, a skilled early 19th-century book engraver.
Publisher: John Sharpe of Piccadilly, a noted London publisher of elegant, illustrated editions in the early 19th century.
 
Exterior Condition
 
Full green textured leather binding over boards, with panelled gilt tooling.
Slightly raised spine bands with gilt lettering (remnants of gilt and coloured background still visible).
Signs of age-related wear: rubbing to edges, corners and boards; partial splits along spine edges; small tears at spine ends; light surface marks.
Despite wear, the binding remains intact and attractive with 19th-century craftsmanship.
 
Interior Condition
 
Pagination: All 203 pages present, including engraved title page and 5 full-page plates.
Pages tanned with age; occasional marks and light foxing, not affecting readability and not obscuring illustrations.
Predominantly uncreased pages – Only a few pages with small or light creases.
A couple of pages with very small edge rips (including at the inner edge), not affecting text or images.
Small cracks in the gutter at pastedowns, but main text block is tight and secure.
Plates (Westall designs, Rolls engravings) remain sharp and complete.
Back flyleaf shows remnants of pen; no further inscriptions inside.
 
Publication Details
 
Title: The Seasons
Author: James Thomson
Illustrations: Richard Westall (artist), Charles Rolls (engraver)
Publisher: John Sharpe, Duke Street, Piccadilly, London
Printer: C. & C. Whittingham, College House, Chiswick
Year: 1825
Format: Small hardback
Pagination: 203 pages, including illustrated title page + 5 plates
Dimensions: approx. 14.2 × 9.7 × 1.8 cm
Weight: approx. 175 g