The first edition of Humphrey Repton’s An enquiry into the changes of taste in landscape gardening of 1806: Repton was one of the great landscape gardeners of the 18th century, and is often considered the successor to Capability Brown. His commercial success was often attributed to the 'red books' he created for clients, which demonstrated his before and after plans. This book is a follow up to Repton's Observations on the Theory and Practice and looks at historical landscape gardening as well as aesthetic details. In 2013, MERL acquired the library and archives of the Landscape Institute, and has a new focus on garden and landscape design: Repton's book offers an important insight into early developments.
The book is available to researchers in our reading room (open to all, free of charge), and in the wide range of teaching, learning and community engagement activities in which MERL participates.
The cost of £1,975 covered the purchase of both this item and the Letters Patent of George III, bought at the same sale.