SPLENDID FOLIO HAND-COLORED AQUATINT VIEWS OF SAINT HELENA, PUBLISHED JUST BEFORE NAPOLEON'S EXILE

BELLASIS, George Hutchins. Views of St. Helena. London: Printed by John Tyler, 1815. Oblong folio (19-1/2 by 14 inches), period-style three-quarter straight-grain morocco gilt, marlbed boards, morocco label to front board. $5000.

First edition, large paper copy, with 6 splendid hand-colored folio aquatint plates by Robert Havell after drawings by George Bellasis.

This work, on what was then surely the most remote outpost of the British Empire, was produced in 1815 in response to Napoleon's intended exile to the island and the newfound interest it generated; Plate 3 represents "St. James's Town," and includes "The Briars, the intended residence of Bonaparte." Bellasis sketched scenes from the island when he spent 8 months there after being forced to disembark due to illness in November, 1804. Each view is accompanied by text leaf. With list of subscribers. Abbey I: 309. Tooley 87. Prideaux, 236. Early (1821) gift inscription and owner signature on full title page.

Plates fine, coloring lovely, one text leaf with a marginal repair; beautifully bound. An excellent copy.