The Temple of taste
Subtitle: comprising elegant historical engravings : also, views of the principal buildings in London : also, a select variety of elegant and amusing subjects, with the histories, and other connected information, at large
By: by the best artists, designers, and engravers
Contributors: Taylor, C. 1756-1823; Shelley, Samuel, ca. 1750-1808; Singleton, Henry, 1766-1839; Smirke, Robert, 1752-1845; Nutter, William, 1754-1802; Ryder, Thomas, 1746-1810; Bond, W
Publisher: Printed for C. Taylor, no. 10, Holborn, near Castle Street
Published: 1796
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 62
Subjects: Stipple engraving -- 18th century -- Specimens; Engraving -- 18th century -- Specimens; Buildings -- London (England); Historic buildings -- London (England); London (England) -- Buildings, structures, etc.
Notes: A collection of engraved plates, many of them stipple-engravings, accompanied by brief texts describing or explaining them.  Each description is paginated separately, probably intended for separate sale.  Some of the plates, however, include the phrase "Temple of Taste No ..." at the head, and were clearly intended for this collection.  The different series of plates, which are intermixed, are listed as: 21 historical subjects, 21 allegorical subjects, and 21 views of buildings in London [1 plate is apparently lacking]

Many of the plates were engraved by Charles Taylor; some were engraved from original drawings, other from artists' works.  Some of the artists whose works were engraved include: Samuel Shelley, Henry Singleton, and Robert Smirke.  Engravers other than Taylor include: William Nutter, W. Bond, and Thomas Ryder

Some of the accompanying texts are original; most are taken from various literary, historical and classical sources

Publication date based upon dates of plates and dates Taylor was at stated address

Special Collection copy inscribed at head of t.p.: "Sarah Singer Biggs Sept 1st 1811."  Bound in full calf, with an acid-etched urn within an acid-etched frame with gilt-rolled edges on both covers; on the front cover the initials "S.S.B." appear in gilt within the urn.