Books and Manuscripts

[Ainslie, Sir Robert] (Mayer, Luigi)
A Selection of the Most Interesting of Sir Robert Ainslie's Celebrated Collection of Views in Turkey in Europe, and in Asia...
London: Printed for R. Bowyer; by T. Bensley, 1811. Two volumes in one, with: …Collection of Views in Egypt, Asia Minor, &c. &c…, Printed for R. Bowyer; by T. Bensley, 1812. First editions. Folio, 18 1/8 x 13 in. (460 x 330 mm). First volume illustrated with 24 hand-colored aquatint plates (including one folding), on J. Whatman watermarked paper, dated 1809; second volume extra-illustrated with 24 hand-colored aquatint plates as called for, and with an additional eight hand-colored aquatint plates of Palestine, on J. Whatman watermarked paper, dated 1809. Contemporary three-quarter green morocco over patterned cloth-covered boards, stamped in blind and in gilt; edges stained red; marbled endpapers. Atabey 790; see Abbey, Travel 369; Not in Blackmer

A lovely first edition R. Bowyer's publications of selections of Luigi Mayer's views and scenes of the Middle East, many of which first appeared in Mayer's earlier Views in Egypt, Palestine and Other Parts of the Ottoman Empire (1804). As Atabey explains, "The plates in these selections are not re-engravings, but plates available from the stock originally printed for Bowyer, with new title pages. These appear to be the earliest selections of Mayer's plates from the Ottoman Dominions." (p. 408). The first volume includes views of Egypt, such as the Great Pyramids of Giza and Cairo, as well as views of Palestine, and Caramania, and the second volume includes magnificent views of Constantinople and the Ottoman Dominions.