Details
BIRMANN, Samuel. Souvenirs de la vallée de Chamonix. Basle: Birmann et fils, 1826.
2° (460 x 310mm). Engraved title, 25 AQUATINT VIEWS, PRINTED IN COLOUR AND FINISHED BY HAND after S. Birmann, engraved key to final view on verso of f.25, folding lithographic panorama of Bréven after Birmann. (Panorama creased, small neat repair to lower blank margin of plate 17, occasional very light finger soiling.) Later red calf, gilt double fillet border, spine gilt in six compartments with blue morocco lettering-piece (slight cracks to top and bottom of front joint, covers lightly scuffed).
FIRST EDITION, and the most luxurious issue of this rare work. Brunet lists three issues - one on papier de Chîne, one on Grand Papier anglais with coloured plates, and one, like the present copy, on "Grand Papier anglais, dit Whatman, figures color. avec soin" which was originally published at 180fr. The last coloured copy to appear in British auction records was in 1957, when it sold for #100 to Francis Edwards. Lonchamp notes 26 aquatint views, as well as the panorama, but this is probably a typographical error, as Birmann's Table lists only 26 plates including the panorama, and Brunet also agrees with this. Brunet I, 954; Lonchamp 338.
2° (460 x 310mm). Engraved title, 25 AQUATINT VIEWS, PRINTED IN COLOUR AND FINISHED BY HAND after S. Birmann, engraved key to final view on verso of f.25, folding lithographic panorama of Bréven after Birmann. (Panorama creased, small neat repair to lower blank margin of plate 17, occasional very light finger soiling.) Later red calf, gilt double fillet border, spine gilt in six compartments with blue morocco lettering-piece (slight cracks to top and bottom of front joint, covers lightly scuffed).
FIRST EDITION, and the most luxurious issue of this rare work. Brunet lists three issues - one on papier de Chîne, one on Grand Papier anglais with coloured plates, and one, like the present copy, on "Grand Papier anglais, dit Whatman, figures color. avec soin" which was originally published at 180fr. The last coloured copy to appear in British auction records was in 1957, when it sold for #100 to Francis Edwards. Lonchamp notes 26 aquatint views, as well as the panorama, but this is probably a typographical error, as Birmann's Table lists only 26 plates including the panorama, and Brunet also agrees with this. Brunet I, 954; Lonchamp 338.