Le Pays d’Israel, Carol Wilhelm Meredith Van de Velde, Paris: Jules Renouard, 1857

Stunning lithographic views of the Levant.

Van de Velde was a Dutch naval lieutenant and surveyor who visited the Levant in 1851 and 1852, publishing this work on Lebanon, Syria, and modern Israel. The views include Jerusalem, Damascus, Beirut, Sidon, Hebron, Jaffa, Tyre, the cedars of Lebanon, among others. Though lacking one plate, this copy of the first edition includes the frequently missing tinted lithograph title.

Physical Description

Large folio (545 x 380 mm). Tinted lithograph title, 98 of 99 tinted lithograph views, and a map; lacking plate 74, plate 68 with a mark in pencil, some foxing to the text, occasional light foxing to plates though most are bright and unaffected, occasional marginal annotations in pencil. In half green morocco ruled in gilt, spine with raised bands in seven compartments, second and fourth lettered in gilt, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers; rebacked with original spine preserved, rubbed at extremities.

Literature

Blackmer 1721