ROBERTS (DAVID)


The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt & Nubia From Drawings Made on the Spot by David Roberts, With Historical Descriptions by the Revd George Croly, 6 vol. bound in 4, FIRST EDITION, 6 lithographed pictorial titles, 121 tinted lithographed plates, 120 half-page tinted lithographs by Louis Haghe after Roberts, lithographed portrait of the author by C. Baugniet on India paper, 2 engraved maps, occasional spotting, publisher's dark purple half morocco, gilt-blocked arms of Jerusalem on upper covers, gilt panelled spines, g.e., worn at extremities [Abbey Travel 385 and 272; Blackmer 1432; Tooley 401-402], large folio (613 x 430mm.), F.G. Moon, 1842-1849
|First edition of "one of the most important and elaborate ventures of nineteenth-century publishing, and the apotheosis of the tinted lithograph ... there is pleasure to be had from many of the individual plates, where Haghe's skillful and delicate lithography, and his faithful interpretation of Robert's draughtsmanship and dramatic sense, combine in what are undoubtedly remarkable examples of tinted lithographic work" (Abbey). Roberts had toured Eqypt, Alexandria, Jerusalem, Palestine, Lebanon, and Baalbec during 1838 to 1839 making detailed drawings of the most significant sites, from which he worked up the final pictures for his master work.Provenance: Peter Carthew (1808-1870, of 15A Kensington Palace Gardens), bookplate; Alice Grace Elizabeth Carthew (1868-1940), notes in pencil initialed "A.C.". She was a noted collector of William Blake prints and antiquities, subsequently donating her abundant collections to institutions including the British Museum, The Hunterian, The Victoria & Albert Museum, and the Tate Collection.Alice Carthew's pencil annotations (dated 1914 and 1926) relate to the topographical accuracy of Roberts' views, presumably after visits she had made to the actual locations. For example next to "The Ravine" she notes 'steps not steep enough', and beside "Petra Looking South" "good picture... far too much water", both in volume 2.