The Connoisseur's Concise Encyclopaedia of Antiques: Two Volumes By Dennis Thomas
The Connoisseur's Concise Encyclopaedia of Antiques: Complete Two-Volume Set (Collectible Slipcased Edition)
A Monumental Softcover Survey of Over Five Hundred Years of Master Craftsmanship and International Antiques Reference
A Monumental Softcover Survey of Over Five Hundred Years of Master Craftsmanship and International Antiques Reference
Bibliographic Specifications
- Title: The Connoisseur's Concise Encyclopaedia of Antiques (Volumes 1 and 2)
- Editor / Author: Dennis Thomas
- Publisher: Sphere Books Ltd., London
- Publication Date: 1969
- ISBN-10: None (Early Sphere mass-market reference release; pre-standardized ISBN implementation for this set)
- Edition Details: Complete Two-Volume Softcover Set. A highly scarce and prized collector's state, uniquely preserved in the original publisher's illustrated slipcase wrapper.
- Binding: Original publisher's premium illustrated heavy-gauge card wrappers (softcover), meticulously housed together inside a reinforced matching structural slipcase.
- Physical Format: Octavo (8vo), Two Volumes. Comprehensively enhanced across both volumes with 32 pages of vibrant full-colour plates and 64 pages of high-fidelity black-and-white studio photographs, documenting rare makers' marks and historic museum specimens.
- Language: English
Official Condition Report
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The Book: Very Good (VG)
- Exterior Wraps: The original glossy pictorial card wrappers are exceptionally flat, bright, and square on both volumes. The spines remain completely unbroken, firm, and uncreased, indicating an exceptionally rare absence of standard reading stress. The wraps demonstrate only very limited, microscopic storage friction along the extreme edges, completely consistent with careful handling over the text block's lifetime.
- Interior: The structural adhesive text block binding remains in pristine, tight, and uncompromised condition. Internal leaves, high-gloss colour plates, and monochrome photo sections are remarkably clean, crisp, and bright. Free of contemporary owner signatures, modern text highlighting, user marginalia, or secondary dealer pencil markings.
- The Slipcase: Very Good (VG). The original publisher's illustrated cardboard slipcase is present and structurally sound. It exhibits minor, age-appropriate storage shelf-wear, light surface friction, and small structural corner scuffs, but remains completely solid, uncracked, and bright, expertly protecting the volumes within.
Synopsis & Historical Value
First released in this compact, comprehensive format by Sphere Books in 1969, The Connoisseur's Concise Encyclopaedia of Antiques serves as a monumental milestone in the literature of accessible connoisseurship. Masterfully edited by Dennis Thomas, this complete two-volume set surveys over 500 years of unparalleled human skill and skilled craftsmanship across the decorative arts.
The encyclopaedia acts as an invaluable, multi-disciplinary work of reference, methodically mapping out style movements, maker hallmarks, and production techniques from the Renaissance to the late 19th century. Volume 1 and Volume 2 break down massive collector categories—spanning fine period furniture, antique silver, porcelain, glass, clocks, and obscure cottage ornaments—translating deep archival academic data into highly practical advice. Enhanced by 32 pages of full colour and 64 pages of black-and-white archival photographs, this slipcased set remains not only a superb visual record of a vanishing art tradition but an essential reference guide for any serious estate appraiser or antique hunter.
Author Profile: Dennis Thomas
Dennis Thomas was a highly distinguished British art historian, editor, and specialist writer who collaborated closely with The Connoisseur magazine—the world's premier and oldest continuous art and antiques periodical founded in 1901. Celebrated for his exceptional editing ability and clear, analytical prose, Thomas excelled at distilling vast, intimidating historical subject matters into highly organized, accessible guides for the general public. His definitive reference works helped democratize the antique market throughout the mid-to-late 20th century, making his publications standard reference tools for international galleries, auctioneers, and private antiquarian collectors alike.
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