Grindlay, Robert Melville

Scenery, Costumes and Architecture, Chiefly on the Western Side of India. London: Smith, Elder, & Co., 1830 [but a few watermarks dated 1842 or 1851]



2 volumes in one, folio (16 1/4 x 13 1/8 in.; 414 x 333 mm). Engraved title-page with handcolored vignette after Grindlay by J. S. Agar, 36 handcolored aquatint plates after Grindlay, Westall, and others by Reeve, Fielding, Hunt, Bentley, and others.

Christie's New York, December 5, 1997, lot 166 (undesignated consignor)

Abbey/Travel 442; Colas 1334; Tooley 229

Very slight rubbing to extremities; edges of free linings faded. Text lacking the lithographed title-page for volume 2, the printed half-titles, and the advertisements; occasional light spotting or soiling to the plates.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

An unusual Cosway-style binding, the front cover inset with 7 oval miniatures on ivory depicting Mughal monuments. Crushed green morocco, the covers with a border of two pairs of gilt fillets filled with a gilt leaf roll, an intricately gilt frame of foliate tools, and central panels gilt with an overall pattern of alternating star-tools and dots, the front panel with the seven miniatures inset within brass frames outlined in gilt-tooling, the rear panels with an elaborate central foliate-tooled arabesque; spine similarly gilt-tooled in six compartments; board edges with double gilt fillet; turn-ins gilt panelled with French fillet and dotted line broken with foliate tools, foot of front turn-in signed "Bound for Chas. J. Sawyer Ltd.," foot of rear turn-in signed "Bound by Sangorski & Sutcliffe," green moiré silk linings, gilt edges.

Captain Grindlay spent seventeen years in India. In his introduction, he notes that "The subjects presented to the public in this work, form a small part of a collection of Sketches and Drawings, made in India by the author while in the service of the East Indian Company. The various appointments which he successively held, afforded him peculiar advantages in collecting materials. ... The author pledges himself to the fidelity of the representations, and he has spared neither labour nor expence in the execution of the work."