- 247
[Lewis, John Frederick.
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Lewis's Illustrations of Constantinople. London: C. Hullmandel for T. McLean, 1838]
first edition, folio (500 x 402mm.), 25 (of 28) lithographed plates on 23 sheets, 2 showing 2 subjects, all finely coloured by hand and mounted on card, twentieth-century half vellum, flat spine, lacking plates 1, 8 and 16, plates somewhat spotted, binding slightly soiled and rubbed
Literature
Blackmer 1015; Abbey, Travel 394 (tinted plates only); Atabey 722 (tinted plates with modern colour); Weber I, 1126
Catalogue Note
the rare deluxe issue. Lewis did not in fact begin his Eastern travels until 1839, these superb lithographs being after Coke Smyth. He was later to immerse himself fully in Eastern life, perhaps partly inspired by these drawings. This deluxe issue was orginally issued loose within a portfolio without a title or dedication, though the illustration for the title is included. The plates were published at £4.4s tinted in half morocco, and at £10.10s coloured and mounted, in a portfolio.