Eric Chaim Kline, Bookseller - Old and Rare Books

Plans, Elevations, Sections, and Details of the Alhambra. Vol. I ONLY [PLANS, ELEVATIONS, SECTIONS AND DETAILS OF THE ALHAMBRA / LITHOGRAPHY INCL. 27 {Elephant Folio} CHROMOLITHOGRAPHIC PLATES]

Goury, M. Jules; Owen Jones; Pasqual de Gayangos (Historical Notice)

London: Owen Jones, 1842. First edition. Large Elephant Folio. [10] 20pp., LI plates on India paper (incl. one twofold, three folding plates), 51 descriptive text plates. Binding copy progressively sewn, with linen binding cloth, ready for binding. Gilt edges. Heavy marbled endpapers. Chromolithographic title page, plus title page printed in red and black. Contains list of subscribers and plates, and a notice of the King of Granada by Pasqual de Gayangos. Historiated head- and endpiece engravings. Wood engravings. Illustrations guarded with light plain paper pages. Published in two variant size editions, the smaller Abbey copy, and the larger paper issue as ours.

The illustrations in this volume are based on drawings taken on the spot by M. Jules Goury in 1834, and by Owen Jones from 1834 to 1837. They are rendered in chromolithography and are considered reproductions of the early stages of this printing process. The chromolithography patent was awarded to Godefroy Engelmann in 1837. This volume is illustrated with twenty-seven chromolithographs and twenty-four b/w lithographs, one of the latter twofold, three of them double pages, on India paper. This is the first volume of a two volume set representing the most important historical record of the Alhambra.

The chromolithographs include an architectural plan of the Alhambra and its immediate surroundings, an architectural plan of the Alhambra itself, the Divan of the Patio of the Alhambra, numerous plates showing decor details, the Window of the two Sisters, the Mosque Courtyard, and others. Next to the numerous b/w lithographs there are three b/w double pages depicting the entrance to the Courtyard of the Lions, the Lion's Courtyard, the Hall of the Two Sisters and the Patio of the Lions. The three-wing lithograph depicts the pool patio and the Ambassador's Room. The lithographs are interleaved with text pages, several of them illustrated in lithography, and blank pages for each image.

The son of a prosperous Welsh furrier Owen Jones became an apprentice of the English architect Lewis Vuillamy from 1825-183. In 1833 he travel the Middle East extensively while painting watercolor landscapes along the way. He was fascinated by Islamic architecture. In 1834 he set out to Spain accompanied by the French architect Jules Goury. Both were fascinated by the Alcazaba in Malaga and in particular the Alhambra with its Nasrid Palaces in Granada. Goury tragically died in Granada and Jones returned to England with both of their sketches and a number of casts of ornaments and mouldings they had made. In 1837 Jones returned to the Alhambra to complete their work but had difficulties finding a printer after his return to London, eventually setting up his own priting astablishment.

Text in Spanish, English and occasional printed Arabic notes. Missing covers and spine of binding, substituted with two loose blank cardboard plates for protections. The bottom edges of the plates with narrow strip of water staining, more or less prominent and generally with some light foxing in margins, not affecting images, with exceptions. Some lighter water-staining along top edge of some pages, affecting lettering occasionally, not imagery. The three-wing lithograph with light foxing in image, and few of the b/w lithographs with light foxing in images, mostly though in margins. Text pages somewhat age-toned. poor to very good condition. Item #55574

Price: $4,750.00