Lot 393
  • 393

CHARLES LYELL, LARGE ALBUM OF DRAWINGS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND PRINTS,

Estimate
7,000 - 10,000 GBP
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Description

  • Lyell, Sir Charles
  • Large album of drawings, photographs, and prints, collected by Lyell and chiefly of geological interest
  • ink on paper, photographic paper
comprising 28 photographs, 36 drawings and watercolours, and 49 prints, including: 4 sketches by J.F.W. Herschel of Swiss views, each c.250 x 340mm, copied in 1865 from Camera Lucida drawings of 1821-24 ("Given to Sir Charles Lyell, by ... Herschel, April 1865"); a fine watercolour by Joseph Dinkel, artist to Joseph Agassiz, of a fossil fish ("Smerdis minutus from Aix"), 105 x 130mm, dated 1836 with a presentation inscription to Lyell; group of 10 photographic prints by James Graham, of Vesuvius, various sizes mostly c.210 x 280mm, most mounted, 1860s, most with pencil captions by Lyell; 5 prints of Vesuvius erupting, 1779-1868, including two prints by Peter Fabris from Campi Phlegraei; photographic print by Samuel Bourne,  200 x 315mm, mounted, captioned by Lyell "Earth pillars on the Spiti river Himalaya"; three photographic view of the aftermath of the 1857 Basilicata Earthquake, c.205 x 270mm, mounted, captioned by Lyell; photographic portrait of Lyell, seated, by Maull and Co., 200 x 150mm, mounted, signed by the sitter (loose); preparatory drawings for vignettes and illustrations for inclusion in published works by Lyell, including several relating to Tenerife; depictions of various other geological features in Europe, America, and India, from Niagra Falls to the Gower Peninsula, fossils, and locations of interest to Lyell ranging from Scottish views to the Temple of Serapis near Naples, and a small number of portraits, 1850s-70s; the majority laid down in in a large folio album (660 x 490mm), blue-green cloth, c.45 items loose within the album

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, 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."

Catalogue Note

A SIGNIFICANT ALBUM EVIDENTLY COMPILED BY SIR CHARLES LYELL. This album records many of Lyell's major interests, with depictions of volcanic activity, especially in southern Italy, fossils, sights seen during his American tours, depictions of his native Scotland, multiple depictions of the Temple of Serapis which was used as the frontispiece for the Principles of Geology, and preparatory illustrations for his late geological work on Tenerife.