Select Views in Greece with Classical Illustrations.

Williams (H.W.)

Select Views in Greece with Classical Illustrations.

Description: FIRST EDITION, title pages bound consecutively at the start of the book, 64 steel engraved plates, some spotting, mostly to margins, slightly toned, some offsetting; 2 vols in 1, 8vo., near-contemporary full coarse green morocco, border of four gilt rules and corner fleurons, flat spine gilt in compartments, gilt edges, richly gilt at turn ins; spine slightly sunned; bookplate of Charles Lambton DSO.

Publication Details: London: Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown and Green; Edinburgh: Adam Black, 1829.

Notes: An attractive copy of this work issued originally in 12 parts between 1825 and 1829, in folio, quarto and octavo formats. The plates depict some of the most famous landscapes and structures from Greek history, accompanied by passages from classical and English authors. The 68 views include the Plain of Marathon, the Gulf of Lepanto, Patras, the Rocks of the Strophades and a fine view of the bay of Cardamoula (Kardamyli - now best known for its association with latterday Hellenophile, Patrick Leigh Fermour), backed by Mount Taygetos. The juxtaposition of illustration and text is remarkably atmo...moreAn attractive copy of this work issued originally in 12 parts between 1825 and 1829, in folio, quarto and octavo formats. The plates depict some of the most famous landscapes and structures from Greek history, accompanied by passages from classical and English authors. The 68 views include the Plain of Marathon, the Gulf of Lepanto, Patras, the Rocks of the Strophades and a fine view of the bay of Cardamoula (Kardamyli - now best known for its association with latterday Hellenophile, Patrick Leigh Fermour), backed by Mount Taygetos. The juxtaposition of illustration and text is remarkably atmospheric: Byron, Falconer, JP, Aeschylus, Virgil and Homer are among the authors sited. There are excerpts from James Stewart's classic Antiquities of Athens (1762), and several fine views of that city, including an extraordinary conceptual view of 'Athens Restored' (after C.R Cockerell) which shows Athens in its Periclean heyday. Several of the plates are designs after Cockerell (see item?) and the author writes a note of thanks in the volume for his ongoing assistance. Hugh William Williams FRSE (1773–1829) was already a landscape painter of some renown before returning from a tour of Greece in 1818, but he found real popularity with his depiction of Hellenic scenes, and the epithet 'Grecian Williams' which stuck with him for life. HIDE

Bibliography: (Atabey 1337 (4to); Blackmer 1811 (folio); Lowndes p.2932)