Mayer, Luigi

Views in Egypt, from the Original Drawings in the Possession of Sir Robert Ainslie, taken during his Embassy to Constantinople. London: Thomas Bensley for R. Bowyer, 1801



Folio (18 1/2 x 13 in.; 470 x 330 mm). 48 hand-colored aquatint plates by Milton after Mayer with tissue guards; some marginal soiling and spotting, a few pages lightly browned. Contemporary tan straight-grain morocco, gilt-ruled border and frame, outer border of inlaid red morocco gilt-tooled with Greek key design, four cornerpieces of inner panel inlaid in black morocco with gilt-tooled floral scrolls on a dotted gold background, spine richly gilt inlaid with black and red morocco pieces, all edges gilt, dentelles, pink gilt-ruled endpapers; extremities soiled and rubbed, corners bumped, a few stains and scrapes on covers.

Abbey, Travel 369; Colas 2018

some marginal soiling and spotting, a few pages lightly browned. Contemporary tan straight-grain morocco, gilt-ruled border and frame, outer border of inlaid red morocco gilt-tooled with Greek key design, four cornerpieces of inner panel inlaid in black morocco with gilt-tooled floral scrolls on a dotted gold background, spine richly gilt inlaid with black and red morocco pieces, all edges gilt, dentelles, pink gilt-ruled endpapers; extremities soiled and rubbed, corners bumped, a few stains and scrapes on covers.
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.

First edition, with plates watermarked "J Whatman 1794" and "E & P 1801."

A student of Piranesi, Mayer (1755-1803) joined the entourage of Sir Robert Ainslie (1729-1812) who was appointed ambassador to the Ottoman Empire in 1776-1792, and most of his works were commissioned by Ainslie. Originally issued in twelve parts in 1801, this constituted the first of what appeared as a three-volume work in 1804 provided with a general title of that date. The portrait of Mayer (not present here) was published as a single plate independently of the book and is not a necessary part.

In a handsome contemporary binding.