Roberts, David

FIRST EDITION, 6 volumes, folio (610 x 442mm.), 6 lithographed titles with pictorial vignettes and 241 lithographed plates, THE TITLES AND PLATES FINELY COLOURED BY HAND AND MOUNTED ON CARD, plain lithographed portrait of Roberts and printed list of subscribers in volume 1 of Holy Land, engraved map in volume 3 of Holy Land and in volume 2 of Egypt, contemporary red half morocco by Orrock of Edinburgh, spines gilt, gilt edges, some spotting to portrait and maps (as often), otherwise overall a clean copy with just occasional slight spotting (e.g. Holy Land - titles vol.1 & 2, and Abbey plate nos. 8, 29, 36, 70, 77, 118; Egypt - vol.1 title and nos. 4, 6, 7, 25, 100), bindings somewhat rubbed and stained

The Most Noble the Marquis of Lothian, a subscriber (see subscribers list in vol.1 of Holy Land where he heads the list of noblemen)

Abbey, Travel 385 & 272; Bobins I, 160; Tooley (1954) 401 & 402

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."

Roberts's Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, and Nubia, was one of the most elaborate ventures of nineteenth-century publishing, providing the most comprehensive series of views of the monuments, landscape, and people of the Near East. It is one of the greatest of all the colour plate books published in the nineteenth century.

This is good copy internally, with very little spotting and free of cockling, and comes direct from the library of one of the subscribers.