"HELPED TO AWAKEN THE BRITISH TO THE GLORIES OF THEIR COASTLINE": WITH 80 FINE ENGRAVINGS OF SOUTHERN ENGLAND, 40 BY J.M.W. TURNER

(ENGLAND) TURNER, J.M.W. Picturesque Views on the Southern Coast of England… London: John and Arthur Arch, et al., 1826. Two volumes in one. Quarto, contemporary full dark blue polished calf gilt rebacked with original spine and red morocco spine label laid down; raised bands, original marbled endpapers preserved. $2800.

First edition of this picturesque tour of the southern coast of England, with 48 full-page copper-engravings—38 after drawings by J.M.W. Turner—and 32 copper-engraved vignettes (two after Turner), desirable in full contemporary calf-gilt.

"English illustration found its most typical expression in landscape, under the inspiration of Turner… Here we have no longer a second-rate version of a mere cosmopolitan art, but a school truly indigenous, both in its style and its technical means… Among the landscape etchers of the early 19th century [Turner is] the most distinguished artist of all" (Hind, 221, 242). "This book, 40 of the engravings in which are after Turner, appeared in parts between 1814 and 1826. It thus ran in double harness with William Daniell's Voyage Round Great Britain, and the two works between them helped to awaken the British to the glories of their coastline. The Southern Coast ranks immediately after the Liber Studiorum and Picturesque Views in England and Wales among books illustrated by Turner with engravings on copper" (Ray). Ray, The Illustrator and the Book in England 11. Lowndes, 2722.

Only occasional faint foxing; plates and text generally quite clean. Corners with expert restoration. An excellent copy in contemporary calf.