Lot 262: WILLIS, Nathaniel Parker (1806-1867). American Scenery. London: George Virtue, 1840.

WILLIS, Nathaniel Parker (1806-1867). American Scenery. London: George Virtue, 1840.

2 volumes, 4υo (273 x 209 mm). Hand-colored engraved portrait, engraved titles, map and 117 HAND-COLORED ENGRAVED PLATES AFTER WILLIAM HENRY BARTLETT. Contemporary green morocco gilt (neatly rebacked in green morocco). Provenance: Alan L. Weiner (his sale, Christie's New York, 22 May 1996, lot 32).

FIRST EDITION, with the date and colored steel engravings. "This work has been frequently reprinted, without date. The intelligent buyer will get the first edition" (Sabin). William Henry Bartlett (1809-1854) was an English artist famous for his views of popular travel destinations. For the American Scenery; or Land, Lake, and River Illustrations of Transatlantic Nature, Bartlett traveled several times to the United States. He followed the popular tourist route from New York City, up to the Hudson and then west to Niagara Falls. He also visited New England and the mid-Atlantic region. His charming views, especially these finely colored prints, of natural wonders and architectural monuments, capture the United Stated in the 1830s. Colored copies, with the dated title-page are rare. Abbey Travel 651; Howes B-209; Sabin 3784. (2)