94 Engraved Plates Constantinople – Its Buildings, People, Surroundings
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Constantinople and the Scenery of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. Illustrated. In a series of drawings from Nature by Thomas Allom. With Descriptions of the Plates, by the Rev. Robert Walsh. Vol. I and Vol. II, bound as one. London: Peter Jackson, Late Fisher, Son, & Co., The Caxton Press. Circa 1844-1845 (per Todd via the address of the publisher during those dates)A beautiful volume on Constantinople, two volumes bound in one, with a map and 94 engraved plates. Includes views of Constantinople from the Golden Horn, the ruins of Ephesus, the Sultan’s new palace on the Bosphorus, the Great Bazaar, the monastery of St. George of the Precipice, the ruins of Laodiceaa, the gardens of the seraglio, the obelisk of Theodosius in the Atmeidan, the mosque of Sultan Soliman, the cemetery of Scutari, the Acropolis at Sardis, the castle of Smyrna, the village of Babec and more. The illustrator, Allom was well known for his meticulous work and the engravings reflect this. There are a number of editions of this work, this one corresponds to OCLC 10123848 with the added engraved title page, one map at the frontis and the 94 plates as called for.The book is a large quarto measuring 11” x 8.5”, bound in 3/4 leather. Five raised bands to the spine with gilt borders to the compartments and “Constantinople Illustrated” in one compartment. Gilt ruling on the leather on the boards, marbled hard paper boards. Corners bit rubbed and bumped, joints and spine tips also mildly worn. The interior has what appear to be original yellow end papers, front free endpaper cut out. There are some old labels, possibly library labels and/or pockets on the end papers, but those are the only signs of library. Front joint cracking but holding, old owner inscription on first blank. Paper is a bit toned, the tissue guards – most of which are present – are foxed and there is some foxing to the plates but otherwise clean and unmarked. Gilt on all three edges. A handsome book, two volumes bound in one, with all plates and the map.
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