Lot 286: VIDAL, EMERIC ESSEX

Picturesque Illustrations of Buenos Ayres and Monte Video. London: L. Harrison for R. Ackermann, 1820

4to (13 x 10 3/4 in.; 330 x 274 mm). 24 handcolored engraved plates (4 folding) by J. Bluck, D. Havell, G. Maile, and T. Sutherland after Vidal, text only watermarked 1817 and 1818; moderate browning to text throughout, some marginal and scattered foxing to about 4 plates, faint text offsetting to 5 plates, 2 short fold tears to 2 folding plates. Later nineteenth-century red morocco panelled gilt, the spine richly gilt in 6 compartments (one reserved for lettering piece), marbled endpapers; jointed rubbed, one long light scratch to lower board.

Abbey, Travel 698; Colas 3000; Sabin 99460; Tooley 495

First edition, one of 750 copies, one of the few colorplate books depicting Argentina and Uruguay. Born about 1788, Vidal joined the Royal Navy in 1808, serving as a purser for five decades. From 1820 to 1821, he served as secretary to Admiral Lambert at St. Helena. The engraved plates of his sketches formed a part of Ackermann's enterprising plan to offer Spanish an South American views to eager English buyers. By 1824, over 3,000 British subjects had settled in Buenos Aires.