- 92
Melling, Antoine Ignace
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
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Description
- Voyage pittoresque de Constantinople et des rives du Bosphore. Paris: P. Didot l'aine, 1819
- paper
First edition, one volume text and atlas, together 2 volumes, folio (670 x 510mm.), and elephant folio (977 x 645mm.), text with half-title, printed title with gold printed tughra and engraved frontispiece of Sultan Selim III, atlas with 48 views engraved by Duparc, Schroeder, Née, Dupréel, Dessaulx, Marillier and others after Melling, edge-bound and not folded, text in modern red half morocco, atlas in contemporary russia, sides panelled and framed in gilt, lettered in gilt on upper cover, atlas title cut down and neatly mounted, frontispiece portrait strengthened in inner margin on verso, plates on new guards, lacking the 3 maps and plans, 8 plates with neat marginal repairs, a few plates lightly spotted (mainly in margins), atlas volume expertly rebacked and re-edged, slightly rubbed
Provenance
Sefik E. Atabey, book label, sale in these rooms, 29 May 2002, lot 794
Literature
Atabey 798; Blackmer 1105; Brunet III, 1591; Lipperheide 1431; Weber I, 77;
Condition
the condition of this lot is as described in the catalogue description
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
The grandest of all books on Constantinople, edge-bound, with the plates not folded, the most desirable state.
Melling (1763-1831), having studied architecture and painting, went to the Levant at the age of nineteen and remained in Constantinople for eighteen years. In 1795 he was charged by the Sultan's daughter to renovate her palace at Ortakeui. He was consequently granted access to the Sultan's palaces, including the Harem, Melling's sketches of which provided the earliest interior views. Having completed various projects for Selim III, Melling returned to Paris in 1803.
A prospectus for Voyage pittoresque appeared in 1804, but production did not start until 1809 and was not completed until 1819 after the appearance of the thirteenth livraison. The outstanding success of the exhibitions on which the work was based earned Melling the title of Painter to the Empress Josephine.
Melling (1763-1831), having studied architecture and painting, went to the Levant at the age of nineteen and remained in Constantinople for eighteen years. In 1795 he was charged by the Sultan's daughter to renovate her palace at Ortakeui. He was consequently granted access to the Sultan's palaces, including the Harem, Melling's sketches of which provided the earliest interior views. Having completed various projects for Selim III, Melling returned to Paris in 1803.
A prospectus for Voyage pittoresque appeared in 1804, but production did not start until 1809 and was not completed until 1819 after the appearance of the thirteenth livraison. The outstanding success of the exhibitions on which the work was based earned Melling the title of Painter to the Empress Josephine.