IRISH SCENERY: HANDSOME ILLUSTRATED SET

HALL, Samuel Carter and HALL, Anna Maria. Ireland: Its Scenery, Character, etc. London: How and Parsons/Jeremiah How, 1841-43. Three volumes. Large octavo, contemporary full maroon calf, raised bands, elaborately gilt-decorated spines, green morocco spine labels, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. $1750.

First edition, with dozens of steel-engraved plates of landscapes and scenery, 18 engraved maps of the counties of Ireland, and hundreds of wood-engraved in-text illustrations, handsomely bound by Henderson and Bisset.

This profusely illustrated work treats each of the counties of Ireland with a brief history, geographic and topographic characteristics, and local area folklore. The authors began their tour of Ireland in County Cork and proceeded through the island county by county from south to north. A charming and abundantly illustrated work on the people, land, and antiquities of Ireland. Produced at the height of the steel-engraving period, the book gives a detailed glimpse of Ireland just before the great potato famine changed the land.

Scattered light foxing to plates and maps, calf bindings with toning to spines, a bit of wear to boards. A very handsome set.