HODGES, William (1744-1797). Select Views in India. London: J. Edwards for the author, [1786-87].

HODGES, William (1744-1797). Select Views in India. London: J. Edwards for the author, [1786-87].

A magnificent and rare hand-colored example of Hodges' monumental work on the architectural beauties of India, containing the first printed depiction of the Taj Mahal. Hodges was the first European professional landscape painter to visit India. The aquatints are most commonly found printed in bistre only; the present copy features dark and rich contemporary coloring. Hodges published the work immediately following his return from six years’ travel in India, promptly immortalizing a romantic view of India as a "fallen empire" for the British public. Alexander Humboldt recorded "that the sight of Hodges' Indian views was one of the inducements which led [him] to travel" (ODNB). Abbey Travel 416; Tooley 264.

Folio (567 x 433mm). 48 hand-colored aquatint plates, with accompanying text (lacking map called for in Abbey but apparently never bound in this copy and not listed in index; plate 9 neatly repaired closed tear; plates 7,8, 20, and 32 with neat repairs to inner blank margin; plate 10 with small area of image retouched). Contemporary red straight-grained morocco gilt, attributed to Staggemeir & Welcher (neatly rebacked preserving full original spine); modern cloth clamshell. Provenance: Princes of Liechtenstein (armorial bookplate).

Pre-Lot Text
PROPERTY FROM AN EAST COAST COLLECTION