Fossati, Gaspard.

first edition, folio (559 x 375mm.), chromolithographed title, 25 tinted lithographed plates by Louis Haghe after Fossati, publisher's morocco-backed cloth, plates and text loose (gutta-percha perished, as usual) and frayed at edges with slight loss, a few closed tears, binding worn

gift inscription on front endpaper dated 13 September 1876, "to dear Mr & Mrs Hamilton from their sincere friend S. W."

Blackmer 619; Abbey, Travel 396, 397; Atabey 454

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."

Fossati (1809-1883) came to Constantinople in 1837 as Russian Court Architect. Initially engaged on the construction of the Russian embassy, he entered the service of the Sultan in 1845. In 1847 he undertook the restoration of Hagia Sophia: a two year project of structural alterations and uncovering of mosaics.

As with many contemporary works illustrated by lithography, Aya Sofia Constantinople could be obtained in various forms. The present copy has been tinted directly onto the paper but other copies were fully hand-coloured with gum arabic heightening. Abbey attributes the chromolithographed title-page to Owen Jones (1809-1874), author of The Grammar of Ornament. An earlier issue has captions in Turkish lithographed in gold on a slip mounted below each plate.