Davidov, Vladimir P.

first edition, part one only, folio (470 x 320mm.), 13 hand-coloured lithographed plates, heightened with gum arabic, and 10 engraved plates (one partly hand-coloured) by Benoit, Shvekhten, Seleznev, Jacottet, P. Raazumikhin, J.J. Wolfensberger, Bryullov and Carl Friedrich Schinkel, mounted on linen guards, some with captions in Russian and French, not uniform in size, the text comprising a title and list of plates, contemporary red morocco-backed boards, double-page plate split at fold, one coloured plate with some offsetting, some spotting and slight marginal staining of the plain plates, text spotted, title repaired at inner margin

cf. Blackmer 461; not in Atabey

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

an outstanding series of views of greece. This is the first part of an atlas which was published in its entirety the following year. "It was prepared to accompany Davidov's account of his travels in Greece and Turkey which appeared in two volumes in 1839–1840. He set out on his travels n 1835; he and his fellow travellers... included the Russian artist Bryullov and the Swiss artist Wolfensberger... The plates were printed by Louis Letronne of Paris, although the publisher of the work is Fisher of St Petersburg" (Blackmer).

Loosely inserted is a title and list of plates for the complete 1840 edition, and a duplicate of the 1839 part 1 title.