Lot 160: 

SIR CHARLES D'OYLY (1781-1845), CAPT. THOMAS WILLIAMSON AND FRANCIS WM. BLAGDON
The European in India accompanied with a brief History of Ancient and Modern India. London: J. Dove for Edward Orme, 1813 [one plate watermarked 1811]. 4° (272 x 211mm). 20 hand-coloured aquatint plates, each with an engraved border, these highlighted in wash, with half-title. (Very occasional hint of spotting.) Contemporary straight-grain morocco, boards with double blind-stamped anthemion borders enclosing a gilt scroll of vine leaves and gilt triple rule, spine richly gilt in compartments, one of these plain but lettered in gilt, all edges gilt (joints and corners lightly rubbed). Provenance: Julia A. Ashwell, signature to upper margin of title-page, Calcutta book agency stamp to rear paste-down, Lancaster bookseller's ticket to front pastedown.

FIRST EDITION of an unusual and charming work in which Europeans are shown in juxtaposition with their Indian servants and entertainers. The artist was a talented amateur whose work came under the influence of his friend George Chinnery, whilst the publisher 'Edward Orme was, after Rudolph Ackermann, the most important publisher of illustrated books during the short golden age of the coloured aquatint' (ODNB). Abbey Travel, 435; Colas 887; Brunet V, 1456.435; Colas 887; Brunet V, 1456.