Cook, Henry.

First edition, folio (628 x 455mm.), printed title, pp.3-[28], lithographed dedication, 30 hand-coloured lithographed plates by Cook, contemporary half morocco, spine lettered in gilt "Ionian islands. Cook", [Weber I, 1156], 5 plates cut down and mounted, 2 plates with significant tears affecting image (with basic restoration), 6 plates with tears in margins (sometimes just touching image) with similar restoration, each plate with ink initials in corner on verso, very slightly soiled, binding somewhat rubbed and bumped, new endpapers

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."

These beautiful views are of extreme rarity and we have not traced a complete set at auction in at least seventy-five years. Incomplete copies were sold in 2008 (with 21 plates) and 2002 (with 20 plates). Prior to that the only records we can trace through ABPC and BAR in the last 100 years are the copy with 21 plates also appearing in 1992 and a copy sold in 1935 (number of plates not recorded). The work appears to have been published in parts between April 1852 and February 1853 which may account for its rarity and the incompleteness of copies that have survived.

There are just two copies recorded in British Libraries (the British Library and SOAS), and the work is not recorded in any of the major reference works on the subject - Abbey, Atabey, Blackmer or Contominas. It seems likely that the work was issued with just tinted lithographed plates and that in this copy they have been coloured at a later date.

The plates comprise: The Citadel at Corfu; The Sail of Ulysses; The Town and Island of Corfu; Corfu Town and Fortifications; The Robbers' Castle Albania; Argostoli, Island of Cephalonia; Corinth from Lutraki (torn); The Parthenon; The Erectheum; Gate of the Agora, Athens; The Choragic Monument of Lysicrates; The Temple of Jupiter Olympius; The Temple of the Winds and Town of Athens; Temple of Jupiter Olympius; The Acropolis, from the Philopappus; Athens, from the Lycabettus; Gate of the Lions, Mycenae; The Temple of Minerva Chalamatis, Corinth; Temple of Theseus, Athens; The Painted Portico, or Stoa of Hadrian; The Mountains of Albania from Corfu; The Descent to Top-Hanne; The Aga's House, Albania; Small Mosque and View of Scutari; Tophaune, the Landing Place; Mount Olympus and Scutari; Street View near the Market, Constantinople; Athens, from the Road to Daphnae; The Golden Horn (torn); Sketch in the Smaller Burying Ground.