The text is generally ascribed to James Russel(l) (ca. 1720-1763), but has also been ascribed to John Russell (1711-1804) and even to Joshua Reynolds.
The plates are unsigned.
The first volume is dedicated 'To Those Worthy Gentlemen, The Kind And Generous Encouragers Of The Author's Studies ... In Testimony Of His Gratitude'; the second, 'To Sir John Cotton, Of Stretton In Bedfordshire, Bart.' Each plate carries its own dedication - in Volume I to James Dawkins, George Pitt of Stratfieldsea, John Bouverie, William Drake of Shardeloes and Nath. Castleton; in Volume II, to John Monro M.D., Rowland Holt of Redgrave Hall in Suffolk, Anthony Langley Swymmer, Sir Hildebrand Jacob Bart., Christopher Fortescue of the City of Dublin, Charles Jennens of Gopsal, Anthony Askew M.D. and Samuel Brewster.
References
ESTC, T67233
J. Ingamells, A Dictionary Of British And Irish Travellers In Italy 1701 - 1800 (1997), p.830-2.
Summary Note
Only Volume I is described on its title page as 'The Second Edition'. (It had been first published in 1748.)
The letters carry dates ranging from Nov. 11. 1739 to Nov. 10. 1749. In his Preface to the first volume the author states that his primary motive for publishing had been to provide an account of the excavations at Herculaneum; but most of his letters are written from Rome, and give a vivid account of his life there. In the Appendix of Volume I is included an extract from Piles's 'Balance of Painters' (p.285-7), in which he awards various painters marks out of 20 for composition, design, colouring and expression.
The plates show: (Volume I) 1. a Greek inscription; 2. plan. section and views of a ruin; 3. views of ruins (ovens?); 4., 5. views of Vesuvius; (Volume II) 1, 2. monuments to Maria Clementina Sobieska [wife of James Francis Edward, Jacobite claimant to the British throne]; 3. raising of the obelisk of Augustus by Zabaglia; 4. equestrian statue of Balbus; 5. Greek inscription; 6. Roman bas-relief; 7, 8. Greek inscriptions.
Reproductions
An electronic reproduction was published in 2003 (Farmington Hills, Mich.: Thomson Gale). A microfilm version was published in 1986 (Woodbridge CT: Research Publications Inc.)
Provenance
The front loose endpapers of both volumes are inscribed in ink, 'Bequest of Sr. A.W. Callcott'.
Copy Note
The title page of Volume I is inscribed in ink, 'Robertsons' (struck through), 'Richardsons'. The title pages of both volumes are inscribed in ink, 'Auct pr.', '[illegible] Leman Decr 1752', 'Leman T [or J?] Rede Inner Temple'.
Binding Note
18th-century sheep, rebacked in 20th century; red morocco spine-labels lettered 'Painter's Letters', spines lettered 'I (II)'.