August 2021 Catalogue

One Of The Most Iconic Of All David Roberts’ Egyptian Plates 46. ROBERTS, David. Original lithograph [“Approach of the Simoon–Desert of Gizeh”]. London, 1849. Elephant folio, original lithograph printed in three tints, measuring 19 by 13 inches; handsomely framed, entire piece measures 23 by 29 inches. $7800. Beautiful original three-tint lithograph of perhaps themost famous DavidRoberts plate, depicting the Sphinx with Egyptians on camels facing an oncoming sandstorm, from the standard edition of Roberts’ landmark work, Egypt and Nubia. “This splendid composition shows how Roberts, who was basically very accurate, could become carried away by the effect of his subject. The juxtaposition of the Sphinx, pyramid and sun is incorrect, as the Sphinx, the embodiment of Ra-Herakhti, the rising sun, faces directly east. [Pre- Raphaelite artist] Holman Hunt was indignant, but Charles Dickens, to whom Roberts presented the original painting from which this lithograph was made, was delighted and considered it ‘a poetical conception’” (Clayton, 32). Fine condition. Superb Original Roberts Egypt Plate, Hand-Colored 47. ROBERTS, David. Original lithograph [“ModernMansion, showing theArabesqueArchitecture of Cairo”]. London, 1842-49. Hand-colored lithograph on onionskin, measuring 19 5/8 by 13 3/4 inches, on original mount, measuring 23 3/4 by 16 1/4 inches. $4200. Beautiful original hand-colored lithograph of the exterior of a modern mansion in Cairo (with Egyptians in colorful costumes), from the superb large format first issue of Roberts’ landmark work, Egypt and Nubia (only the first issue is hand-colored on onionskin and mounted on heavier card). “Among all the artists working in Egypt… [Roberts] stands head and shoulders above the rest, both for the number of sites and monuments he recorded and for his interesting presentation” (Clayton, 6). “Particularly in the Egypt and Nubia section, one feels that the colossal subjects and broad vistas were ideally suited to Roberts’ talent” (Abbey, 341). Some chipping and soiling to mount. Print in fine condition. Magnificent hand-colored lithograph from the most famous and desirable work on Egypt. F r a m e d ! 2 0 2 1 B a u m a n R a r e B o o k s 39 38