Lot 303: SCHOMBURGK, Sir Robert Hermann (1804-1865). Twelve Views in the Interior of Guiana... after sketches taken during the expedition... in... 1835 to 1839. London: Whitehead & Co. for Ackerman & Co., 1841.

SCHOMBURGK, Sir Robert Hermann (1804-1865). Twelve Views in the Interior of Guiana... after sketches taken during the expedition... in... 1835 to 1839. London: Whitehead & Co. for Ackerman & Co., 1841.
2υo (526 x 360 mm). 2pp. subscribers' list, dedication to the Duke of Devonshire with his arms printed in gilt. Hand-colored additional lithographed title by M. Gauci after Charles Bentley, printed by P. Gauci, 12 fine hand-colored lithographed views by George Barnard, Coke Smyth and P. Gauci after Charles Bentley, printed by Gauci and Charles Hullmandel, 12 wood-engraved illustrations by G. P. Nicholls after Charles Blunt, the views all after original sketches by John Morrison, one engraved map by John Murray, hand-colored in outline in red and blue. (One plate with short marginal tear, just touching image.) Contemporary black morocco elaborately gilt, edges gilt (spine ends expertly repaired). Provenance: Charles Richardson Esquire (owner's gift inscription on front fly-leaf, dated British Guiana, 6th Feb. 1841).

FIRST EDITION, A FINE SUBSCRIBER'S COPY OF THIS RARE AND IMPORTANT WORK. It was published at 2/12/6d uncolored and 4 guineas colored. Schomburgk, as a result of the journey described here, discovered and sent to England the Victoria Regia waterlily, and was awarded the R.G.S.'s gold medal for his scientific work. As is made clear in the preface, James Morrison (the expedition draughtsman) made sketches under the direction of Schomburgk, these were then worked up by Charles Bentley in London, and plates were produced from these finished sketches. Abbey Travel, 720; Sabin 77796.