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Author: Roberts, David
Title: The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt & Nubia
Place Published: London
Publisher:F.G. Moon
Date Published: 1842-43
Description:

3 volumes in 2 (of 6). 2 (of 3) lithographed titles; lithograph frontispiece portrait of Roberts in first volume; 60 plates and 60 half-page tinted lithographs (one tint) by Louis Haghe after David Roberts. (Folio) 61x43 cm (24x16½"), period full morocco, elaborately bordered in gilt, all edges gilt. First Edition.

David Roberts' monumental representation of the sites of the near East was an outstanding success on its publication. Never before had the ancient sites of Jerusalem, Nazareth, Tyre, Bethlehem, Petra, Baalbec, Sinai, etc. been portrayed on such a splendid scale. With exquisite draughtsmanship by Roberts and delicate lithography by Haghe. Roberts commented on Haghe's lithography: "there can be only one opinion as to the masterly manner in which he executed his work" and for Abbey, "Roberts's Holy Land was one of the most important and elaborate ventures of nineteenth-century publishing, and it was the apotheosis of the tinted lithograph". Abbey 185; Tooley 401. The Holy Land volumes only, the Egypt and Nubia volumes are not present.

Bindings worn, first volume with covers detached, second volume open at front hinge, rear hinge cracked; old dampstain in the upper left corner of Volume 1, just touching the image on all plates; some foxing. Offered as a collection of plates, with all faults, not subject to return.