.jpg?w=1)
Details
Captain Charles Donatus Corbet O'Brien (d. 1866)
A series of fifteen views in Ceylon illustrative of Sir J.E. Tennent's work, from sketches on the spot. London: Day & Son, 1864.
2 (536 x 367mm). Tinted lithographic title, engraved dedication, 15 tinted lithographic plates. (Some very light spotting generally to margins only, a few text pages loose, a few short tears to edges). Oirginal maroon cloth, upper cover blocked in gilt, gilt edges (neatly recased retaining original endpapers but with new inner hinges, corners lightly bumped, some light rubbing).
O'Brien was employed as Assitant Surveyor in Ceylon, a position which gave him every opportunity to collect information and make studies for the fine set of fifteen plates in this work. His manner of working was legendary, R.W. Jenkins in Ceylon in the Fifties and Eighties (1886) noting that 'with his famous 'magazine' or huge flaks of raw brandy over one shoulder, and another flask over the other shoulder for the drinking mixture (with water), a tin of sardines and some biscuits in his pocket, he did many a good day's work at a good old age'. De Silva Early Prints of Ceylon pp. 225ff.
A series of fifteen views in Ceylon illustrative of Sir J.E. Tennent's work, from sketches on the spot. London: Day & Son, 1864.
2 (536 x 367mm). Tinted lithographic title, engraved dedication, 15 tinted lithographic plates. (Some very light spotting generally to margins only, a few text pages loose, a few short tears to edges). Oirginal maroon cloth, upper cover blocked in gilt, gilt edges (neatly recased retaining original endpapers but with new inner hinges, corners lightly bumped, some light rubbing).
O'Brien was employed as Assitant Surveyor in Ceylon, a position which gave him every opportunity to collect information and make studies for the fine set of fifteen plates in this work. His manner of working was legendary, R.W. Jenkins in Ceylon in the Fifties and Eighties (1886) noting that 'with his famous 'magazine' or huge flaks of raw brandy over one shoulder, and another flask over the other shoulder for the drinking mixture (with water), a tin of sardines and some biscuits in his pocket, he did many a good day's work at a good old age'. De Silva Early Prints of Ceylon pp. 225ff.