GELL (WILLIAM) The Topography of Troy and Its Vicinity, London, by T.N. Longman and O. Rees, 1804, first edition, folio, hand-coloured etched title vignette, 26 plates, comprising 19 aquatints, 4 folding or double-page, and 7 hand-coloured etchings, 11 hand-coloured vignettes, and one uncoloured vignette, in text, 2 hand-coloured maps, EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED by 2 double-page engraved plates, entitled 'Vue des Sources du Scamandre', and 'Vues des Tombeaux d'Hector et d'Aisyetes', each 20 x 14 in. [51 x 36 cm.] (H2-I2 lightly spotted at upper margin), contemporary crimson half morocco (extremities rubbed, upper cover scuffed, revealing board). [Abbey Travel 399; Prideaux 232, 337]

Details

GELL (WILLIAM) The Topography of Troy and Its Vicinity, London, by T.N. Longman and O. Rees, 1804, first edition, folio, hand-coloured etched title vignette, 26 plates, comprising 19 aquatints, 4 folding or double-page, and 7 hand-coloured etchings, 11 hand-coloured vignettes, and one uncoloured vignette, in text, 2 hand-coloured maps, EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED by 2 double-page engraved plates, entitled 'Vue des Sources du Scamandre', and 'Vues des Tombeaux d'Hector et d'Aisyetes', each 20 x 14 in. [51 x 36 cm.] (H2-I2 lightly spotted at upper margin), contemporary crimson half morocco (extremities rubbed, upper cover scuffed, revealing board). [Abbey Travel 399; Prideaux 232, 337]

Lot Essay

Abbey hazards that Lord Byron was the reviewer of the work in the Monthly Review for August 1811, quoting: 'With Homer in his pocket and Gell on his sumpter-mule, the Odysseus tourist may now make a very classical and delightful excursion.' Abbey goes on to cite: 'The above pioneer work on the subject fixed the site of Troy at Bounarbashi.'

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