text only, omitted from the
French and
Italian texts; the list of Subscribers at the beginning of the
English text is omitted from the
French and
Italian texts; Book II, 22, 13, 12 leaves, LXI engraved plates numbered, by V. der Gucht after I. Leoni, John Harris, B. Picart, J. Cole and others; in the copy collated the preliminary matter in the
English version was in
Italian, and was omitted from the
Italian text; Book III, 21, 13, 14 leaves, XXII engraved plates, numbered, sig. A
2 of the
Italian text contains in
English A List of those who have Subscribed to this work, after the Publication of the First and Second Books, beginning with His
Czarian Majesty, Emperor of Great Russia, &c. &c. &c.; Book IV, Part I, 19, 11, 12 leaves, LIV engraved numbered plates by
B. Picart, Van der Gucht, J. Cole and others, additional list of subscribers at the beginning; Book IV, Part II, 13, 7, 7 leaves, CIV numbered engraved plates
by B. Picart, Van der Gucht, J. Cole and others.
Jefferson’s copy was bound in 2 volumes; there is no information as to how the parts were arranged.
Lowndes IV, 1766.
Brunet IV, 321.
Graesse V, 108.
Kimball, page 97.
For an account of the use Jefferson made of Palladio’s work, see Fiske Kimball,
Thomas Jefferson, Architect.
Jefferson sold four editions of Palladio’s works to Congress in 1815, and also owned other editions not sold with the others.
Both his dated and his undated manuscript catalogues contain the entry
Palladio’s first book of architecture with Le Muet on doors and windows, 8vo. This is the copy he lent to James Oldham, a Virginia builder, who had written to Jefferson on December 17, 1804, concerning the acquisition of a copy, and to whom Jefferson wrote on December 24: “
In answer to your’s of the 17
th. desiring me to procure a Palladio for you either here or at Philadelphia, there never was a Palladio here even in private
hands till I brought one: and I scarcely expect it is to be had in Philadelphia; but I will try both there and at Baltimore.
the late m
(
~
r)
Ryland Randolph of Turkey island had one, which is probably in the hands of whoever has his books, and as probably out of
use. m
(
~
r)
David Randolph could probably give you information respecting it, & whether it can be bought. the chance of getting one in
America is slender. in the mean time, as you may be distressed for present use, I send you my portable edition, which I value
because it is portable: you will return it at your own convenience. it contains only the 1
st. book on the orders, which is the essential part. the remaining books contain only plans of great buildings, temples, &c.
Accept my salutations.
”
Oldham replied on January 11: “Your favor of the 24
th. Ultimo accompaned with your portabel addition of Palladio came safe to hand for which sir, I return to you my graitest thanks.
and shal take perticular care of it: on applying to m
r. D
vd. M. Randolph he was extremly kind and gave me an introductory letter to m
r Edmond Randolph, who perchased the Liberary of the late m
r. Riland Randolph. m
r. Edmond Randolph has lent me palladio for a few days after which I must return it. I think I shall not be able to perchce
it as he towld me that he considered it a most valuabel worc: and from the information you have pleased to give me in your
last letter I am afraid shal not be abel to get one in america . . .”
Meanwhile, throughout the month of January, 1805, Jefferson tried to buy for Oldham an edition of Palladio in English from
Reibelt of Baltimore, who however was unable to supply a copy.
Earlier in the year 1804, when in correspondence with Benjamin H. Latrobe concerning the designs for the Capitol, Jefferson
made reference to Palladio, and to the notes of the Earl of Burlington. In a letter to Latrobe, dated from Washington, February
28, 1804, Jefferson wrote: “
. . . would it not be best to make the internal columns of well burnt bricks moulded in portions of circles adapted to the
diminution of the columns. L
d. Burlington in his notes on Palladio tells us that he found most of the buildings erected under Palladio’s direction & described
in his architecture to have their columns made of brick in this way and covered over with stucco. I know an instance of a
range of 6. or 8. columns in Virginia, 20.0. high well proportioned and properly diminished, executed by a common bricklayer
. . .
”
Andrea Palladio, 1518-1580, Italian architect. The first edition of his
I Quattri Libri del’ Architettura was published in Venice in 1570.
Inigo Jones, English architect, theatrical and masque producer and designer, was much influenced by Palladio and Italian architecture.
For a note on him, see no. 4217.
Giacomo Leoni, 1686-1746, Venetian architect, settled in England at the beginning of the eighteenth century,
