The Beauties of England and Wales: or, Original Delineations, Topographical, Historical and Descriptive, of Each County.

London: Printed by Thomas Maiden, for Vernor & Hood, Longman & Rees, Cuthell & Martins [& 4 others in London],, 1801-16. The labour involved was heroic First edition of this impressively thorough work, the most ambitious of its kind since Magna Britannia et Hibernia (1720-1731). Originally conceived as a more modest publication, it became an intensive and occasionally fraught project. In 1800, the publishers Vernor and Hood proposed to Britton that he produce six volumes of topographical commentary. He and Brayley had become friends as teenagers and had already collaborated successfully oin a literary endeavour. They embarked on a walking tour of thousands of miles for these initial volumes, for which they shared credit evenly. At this point, Brayley was predominantly occupied with the text, while Britton was "the organizing genius throughout" (ODNB), overseeing the travel, correspondence, sourcing of materials, and managing the illustrations. When the series ran to further volumes, the two men divided responsibility for certain counties. John Harris replaced Vernor and Hood as publisher, but in 1814 he quarrelled with Brayley and Britton. They withdrew from the undertaking, after which several new authors were drafted to continue their work, including Joseph Nightingale, J. N. Brewer, and the Reverend J. Evans. By the time the survey was complete, it had cost some £50,000, and "a whole school of artists and engravers had grown up under Britton's direction: Samuel Prout and Frederick Mackenzie, John and Henry Le Keux, Edward Blore, George Cattermole, R. W. Billings, and Henry Shaw" (ODNB). 18 volumes bound in 25, octavo (211 x 130 mm). Near-contemporary calf, spines with raised bands, red and green morocco labels, compartments elaborately decorated in gilt, single gilt fillet to covers, board edges and turn-ins tooled in blind, marbled endpapers and edges. Engraved frontispieces and vignette title pages to each volume, numerous similar plates. Edges rubbed, couple of volumes with some discolouration to covers, corners bumped. A very good set, attractively bound. Lowndes I, p. 138.