A rare first edition portfolio of twenty-four large lithographs recording an architectural field excursion around Lugano and Riva San Vitale, inscribed and signed by Professor Julius Stadler in 1879.

Bibliographic Details

Author: Professor Julius Stadler (1828–1904).
Title: Skizzen und Aufnahmen der Exkursion der Bauschule, 3. Curs, 1863.
Place of Publication: Zurich.
Publisher: Orell, Füssli & Comp.
Date / Edition: 1863. First edition.
Contents: Original printed wrapper portfolio containing twenty-four full-page lithographic plates, loose as issued.
Illustrations: Twenty-four lithographs after drawings executed by Stadler's architectural students during the 1863 excursion.
Binding: Original yellow printed wrappers with paper spine.
Size: Large 4to (approximately 40 × 30 cm).

Condition

Very Good overall. The original paper spine is worn and split along its length with fraying and minor loss, but the printed wrappers remain present and attractive. Small institutional wet stamp at the foot of the title wrapper.

The lithographic plates are generally clean and well preserved. A narrow pale stain extends into the fore-edge margins of a couple of plates, together with occasional light foxing. The portfolio remains an excellent example of this fragile publication. Please ask if you require a more detailed condition report, or examine the gallery photographs closely.

Description

A rare first edition documenting one of the earliest architectural field excursions organised by the Swiss architect and educator Professor Julius Stadler, comprising twenty-four impressive full-page lithographs based upon drawings made by his students during their 1863 survey of the region between Riva San Vitale and Lugano in southern Switzerland.

Rather than presenting finished architectural engravings, the portfolio preserves the direct observational work produced by Stadler's pupils during the excursion. The plates depict churches, village streets, civic buildings, architectural details, bridges, rural landscapes and measured studies, illustrating the practical teaching methods employed in nineteenth-century architectural education. Together they provide an exceptional record of the built environment of Ticino before modern development transformed many of these historic settlements.

The portfolio was issued by the distinguished Zurich publishers Orell, Füssli & Comp., one of Switzerland's foremost printing houses, and survives here complete with all twenty-four lithographic plates, retained loose within the original printed portfolio as originally issued.

An especially important feature of this copy is the contemporary presentation inscription on the upper wrapper. In 1879, Professor Julius Stadler personally inscribed and signed the portfolio, presenting it to one of his former architectural students. Signed copies of Stadler's publications are exceptionally uncommon and greatly enhance both the historical and commercial appeal of the work.

Julius Stadler (1828–1904) was a leading Swiss architect and architectural educator whose influence extended through generations of students trained in careful observation, measured drawing and field study. This publication offers a fascinating insight into nineteenth-century architectural instruction, demonstrating how direct engagement with historic buildings formed an essential part of professional education.

Architectural teaching portfolios of this type were produced in relatively modest numbers and were often subjected to heavy use within studios and schools. Complete examples retaining all plates and the original printed wrappers are now rarely encountered on the market, particularly when accompanied by a contemporary autograph inscription from the author himself.

The combination of large-format lithographs, Swiss architectural subjects, educational importance and Stadler's signed presentation inscription makes this an outstanding item for collectors of architecture, Swiss topography, nineteenth-century lithography, architectural education and signed books.

Notes

A scarce signed first edition preserving all twenty-four original lithographic plates issued after drawings produced during Professor Stadler's celebrated 1863 architectural excursion through the Lugano region.

Particularly desirable for collectors of architecture, architectural education, Swiss topography, lithography, presentation copies, autograph material and nineteenth-century travel illustration.