D. R. Hay, “The Laws of Harmonious Colouring,” 1844, 5th EdDavid Ramsay Hay (1798-1866) – Scottish

D. R. Hay, “The Laws of Harmonious Colouring,” 1844, 5th Ed
David Ramsay Hay (1798-1866) – Scottish interior designer and color theorist
“The Laws of Harmonious Colouring Adopted to Interior Decorations, Manufactures, and Other Useful Purposes.” London: W.S. Orr and Co., 1844. Fifth edition. 103 pages plus 10 pages of ads
Features five color plates with pasted-on color chips
Numerous black-and-white in-textillustrations
Depicts examples of colors working in harmony
Signed binding by master binder Julie Stackpole, completed in 1973
Birren Collection 304; Color Documents, 12 & 13
Octavo (228 x 146 mm); full light tan leather binding with five raised bands and gilt on spine, front board ornamented to replicate the illustration plate II, p. 23, with blind embossed borders on front and rear boards, top edge gilt. Housed in paper covered slipcase with leather border
Very good condition
Estimate: $900

First published in 1828, this text was updated in each edition. Through the plates and text, Hay offers an analogy of color and sound, allowing color to ascend the notes of the musical scale. “As the title suggests, “Hay’s special concern as House Painter and Decorator to the Queen was for the problems of his own profession, whose task was made all the more difficult by the variable lighting conditions in a room, the three dimensionality of the architectural space, and the fashionable caprices of patrons (Bicknell & Munro, no. 68).”

David Ramsay Hay (Scottish, 1798-1866)

The son of a celebrated Scottish poet, Hay became a creative in his own right. Hay had a career as a decorator to major figures of the 19th century, including Sir Walter Scott. Hay was an early advocate for imitation finishes (including replications for grains and stones). In 1820, Hay decorated rooms for Queen Victoria. Important projects such as that one allowed Hay to develop a theory of color harmony. His subsequent book on the subject was printed into six successive editions, leaving a lasting influence over design of the 19th century.

Condition

Scattered foxing and faint minor creasing throughout, otherwise the pages are very fresh. In overall very good condition. One scuff to the rear paper cover of the slipcase, otherwise in very good condition as well.

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David Ramsay Hay (1798-1866) – Scottish interior designer and color theorist
“The Laws of Harmonious Colouring Adopted to Interior Decorations, Manufactures, and Other Useful Purposes.” London: W.S. Orr and Co., 1844. Fifth edition. 103 pages plus 10 pages of ads
Features five color plates with pasted-on color chips
Numerous black-and-white in-textillustrations
Depicts examples of colors working in harmony
Signed binding by master binder Julie Stackpole, completed in 1973
Birren Collection 304; Color Documents, 12 & 13
Octavo (228 x 146 mm); full light tan leather binding with five raised bands and gilt on spine, front board ornamented to replicate the illustration plate II, p. 23, with blind embossed borders on front and rear boards, top edge gilt. Housed in paper covered slipcase with leather border
Very good condition
Estimate: $900

First published in 1828, this text was updated in each edition. Through the plates and text, Hay offers an analogy of color and sound, allowing color to ascend the notes of the musical scale. “As the title suggests, “Hay’s special concern as House Painter and Decorator to the Queen was for the problems of his own profession, whose task was made all the more difficult by the variable lighting conditions in a room, the three dimensionality of the architectural space, and the fashionable caprices of patrons (Bicknell & Munro, no. 68).”

David Ramsay Hay (Scottish, 1798-1866)

The son of a