Constantinople and the Seven Churches of Asia Minor - Two Volumes - Walsh & Allom - Antique Book

【Figs. 1-4. Green Moroccan Goatskin Binding】 【Fig. 5. Title page of "Constantinople and the Scenery of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor"】 【Fig. 6. Illustrated title page of "Constantinople and the Scenery of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor"】 【Fig. 7. Delicate lines of steel engraving in "Constantinople and the Scenery of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor"】 【Figs. 8-9. Illustrations from "Constantinople and the Scenery of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor"】 Author: Robert Walsh (1772-1852) / Thomas Allom (1804-1872) Title: "Constantinople and the Scenery of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor" - An illustrated album in two volumes. Volume I: 84 pages, Volume II: 100 pages. Imprint: London: Fisher, Son & Co., The Caxton Press. Technique: Steel engraving and letterpress printing (Volume I: 48 illustrations, including an illustrated title page and map; Volume II: 49 illustrations, including an illustrated title page. Total 97 illustrations in the book). Green Moroccan goatskin binding, with Neoclassical border and Romantic cartouche in gold embossing. Gilt edges on three sides. Good condition. Date: Publication year not indicated (circa 1839). Dimensions: Folio (27.5 x 22 cm). About the Work: Steel engraving began to be used for book illustrations in the 1820s. This technique, originally used for printing banknotes, not only increased the print run of plates but also allowed for more intricate engraving, making it highly suitable for illustrated books. Consequently, travelogues and books showcasing scenic views saw further development. Fisher, Son & Co., a British publisher, produced many such books after the 1830s, and "Constantinople and the Scenery of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor" is one of their publications. The illustrator, Thomas Allom, was an architect who designed many buildings in London, most notably St. Peter's Church in Notting Hill. However, he is most acclaimed for his landscape illustrations in travel books. His "China Illustrated," published around 1845, depicted the Chinese world as imagined by Europeans at the time. It's important to note that Allom's portrayal of Chinese scenes was not based on personal travel but was a transformation of earlier Chinese imagery combined with contemporary British information about China. In contrast, the illustrations in "Constantinople and the Scenery of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor" were based on Allom's direct observations from his travels. Starting in the 1820s, Allom traveled throughout Britain and continental Europe, sketching his experiences, as seen in his 1832 work "Westmorland, Durham and Northumberland." In 1834, Allom arrived in Constantinople and subsequently traveled extensively through Asia Minor, Syria, and Palestine. The culmination of this grand journey resulted in this two-volume set, "Constantinople and the Scenery of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor," and some of the illustrations featured in John Carne's "Syria, the Holy Land, Asia Minor." By this time, his powers of observation had sharpened, and his technique had reached new heights. The illustrations in the book exhibit a strong sense of dynamism and contrast. Furthermore, the steel engravings of this period often employed etching techniques, resulting in rich and nuanced tonal gradations. This elevates "Constantinople and the Scenery of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor" into a rare masterpiece among illustrated travelogues. To accompany the illustrations in "Constantinople and the Scenery of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor," the author Robert Walsh, who was knowledgeable about Turkey, was commissioned to write extensive annotations. Walsh, an Irishman, served as a chaplain to the British Embassy in Constantinople in 1820 and was later posted to Brazil in 1828. This experience provided him with a deep understanding of the Ottoman Empire's culture and society, leading him to publish works on the region and his own travels. Although his brief abolitionist activities in Brazil are a notable aspect of his personal history, his writings for "Constantinople and the Scenery of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor" reveal his profound insight into and concern for the Eastern Empire. Our set is presented in a green Moroccan goatskin binding, with embossed gold-stamped decorations that blend Neoclassical borders and Romantic cartouches. While the binder remains anonymous, this is a work of meticulous elegance and intricate craftsmanship, worthy of being treasured for generations. * For any detailed inquiries, please feel free to send a message to the designer. * This gallery primarily features Western antiques, vintage jewelry, home decor, and original European prints and books. As these are vintage items, they may bear traces of history and time. However, they are thoughtfully curated and placed to enhance your unique lifestyle and aesthetic sensibilities. Those who are sensitive to such details are advised to consider carefully before purchasing.