Lot 550
Girtin, Thomas
Rare Books, Maps, Manuscripts & Photographs
Auction: 10 January 2007 at 11:00 GMT
Description
[A Selection of Twenty of the most picturesque views in Paris and its Environs drawn and etched by Thomas Girtin. London, 1803] oblong folio (approx 35cm by 56 cm), 16 [of 20] engraved views, contemporary half morocco, worn, lacking title page, contents loose, some plates disbound, lacking engraved title, various plates creased and chipped at edges, dust marked, no watermark
Footnote
Note: The original soft ground etchings made by Girtin before he handed the plates over to F.C. Lewis and other engravers to complete in aquatint. Girtin died in 1802 and the Views of Paris were published by his brother John in 1803. "How many sets were issued we do not know, but John Girtin's house was destroyed by fire, and it is said that many of his brother's works, as well as copies of the Views, were lost in this way, a fact which would account for their scarcity." [Prideaux - Aquatint Engraving p. 93-94; Abbey, Travel 102].