Hakewill Picturesque Tour of the Island of Jamaica

HAKEWILL, James (1778-1843). A Picturesque Tour of the Island of Jamaica. London: Hurst and Robinson, 1825. Folio (13 x 9 1/2 inches). 21 hand-colored aquatint plates, engraved by Sutherland, Clarke, or Fielding after Hakewill's drawings, each followed by a leaf of letterpress text. "King Sqaure", Cascade Windward Road", "Trinity Estate", "St Thomas", "Bog Walk", plate watermarked 1822, "Kingston and Port Royal" and "Bridge over White River" plates watermarked 1832, remaining plates without visible watermarks. Full crimson morocco with gold tooling; spine in nine compartments (gilt) with black morocco lettering piece. The views, all accompanied with a page or two of text, are of landmarks, towns and plantation houses of old Jamaica, including Rose Hall, Montego Bay, and Port Antonio. The text is of considerable historic interest, being information on slavery, trade, the planter families, etc. collected by the author on his visit. Hakewill (DAB VIII, p. 893) was an architect, best known for this and two other color plate books. Most of the plates are engraved by Thomas Sutherland.
Abbey, Travel 683; Sabin 29591; Tooley 240
Guidance: Heritage, 2008 - $13,743