ANNESLEY, George, Viscount Valentia & Earl of Mountmorris (?1770-1844). Voyages and Travels to India, Ceylon, the Red Sea, Abyssinia and Egypt, in the Years 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, and 1806. London: W. Bulmer for William Miller 1809.
ANNESLEY, George, Viscount Valentia & Earl of Mountmorris (?1770-1844). Voyages and Travels to India, Ceylon, the Red Sea, Abyssinia and Egypt, in the Years 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, and 1806. London: W. Bulmer for William Miller 1809. 3 volumes, 4 o (275 x 220 mm). Half titles, 3 engraved vignettes, 69 engraved plates (12 folding maps or charts), by Fittler, Angus, Landseer etc. after Henry Salt (some offsetting and light staining, a few short tears to fold of some folding maps or charts). Contemporary straight-grained morocco gilt (rebacked preserving original spine). FIRST EDITION. "This work contains much information of a novel and important kind; but it might advantageously have been comprised in less compass. It was read through the press by Mr. Salt" (Lowndes). Henry Salt accompanied Viscount Valentia as secretary and draughtsman; his Twenty-four Views in St. Helena, published in 1809, was another result of the tour. Abbey Travel 515 (note); Lowndes p.2747. [ With :] MILLER, William R. B. (1769-1844). Nine autograph letters signed to George Viscount Valentia, London, 30 July 1707 - 22 December 1809 (one undated). Together 23 pages, 4to, loosely inserted in the front endpapers to v.1 . CORRESPONDENCE FROM VALENTIA'S PUBLISHER ABOUT THE PRINTING AND SALE OF THIS WORK. In a 30 July 1807 letter Miller declines to purchase the copyright of a work (presumably the Voyages and Travels ) and explains that in light of "the expences attending...a large edition...& the anxiety and time which must attend the getting up such a work, the profits which would remain would not be a sufficient compensation..." But two years later, on 3 June 1809, the project is very much alive: "I intend to subscribe the work to the Trade early next week in order to ascertain the number of copies to be wanted immediately..." 30 June 1809: "The fate of the Travels is going as well as could be expected..." But there are inevitable hassles: 10 July 1809: "as to the carelessness of the Binders, it is proverbial and I lament my inability to make them better..." On 10 October 1809 he plans the timing of the octavo edition. In the final letter, 22 December, he is selling Valentia a copy of Thomas Daniell's Oriental Scenery and other works. A fascinating correspondence offering insight not only on the evolution of this book, but on the London book trade of these years. Miller was one of the city's preeminent publishers and booksellers, printing the works of Samuel Richardson and Sir Walter Scott He became notorious, however, for declining Byron's Childe Harold's Pilgrimage . He sold out his business to John Murray in 1811 for £3,800.
ANNESLEY, George, Viscount Valentia & Earl of Mountmorris (?1770-1844). Voyages and Travels to India, Ceylon, the Red Sea, Abyssinia and Egypt, in the Years 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, and 1806. London: W. Bulmer for William Miller 1809.
ANNESLEY, George, Viscount Valentia & Earl of Mountmorris (?1770-1844). Voyages and Travels to India, Ceylon, the Red Sea, Abyssinia and Egypt, in the Years 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, and 1806. London: W. Bulmer for William Miller 1809. 3 volumes, 4 o (275 x 220 mm). Half titles, 3 engraved vignettes, 69 engraved plates (12 folding maps or charts), by Fittler, Angus, Landseer etc. after Henry Salt (some offsetting and light staining, a few short tears to fold of some folding maps or charts). Contemporary straight-grained morocco gilt (rebacked preserving original spine). FIRST EDITION. "This work contains much information of a novel and important kind; but it might advantageously have been comprised in less compass. It was read through the press by Mr. Salt" (Lowndes). Henry Salt accompanied Viscount Valentia as secretary and draughtsman; his Twenty-four Views in St. Helena, published in 1809, was another result of the tour. Abbey Travel 515 (note); Lowndes p.2747. [ With :] MILLER, William R. B. (1769-1844). Nine autograph letters signed to George Viscount Valentia, London, 30 July 1707 - 22 December 1809 (one undated). Together 23 pages, 4to, loosely inserted in the front endpapers to v.1 . CORRESPONDENCE FROM VALENTIA'S PUBLISHER ABOUT THE PRINTING AND SALE OF THIS WORK. In a 30 July 1807 letter Miller declines to purchase the copyright of a work (presumably the Voyages and Travels ) and explains that in light of "the expences attending...a large edition...& the anxiety and time which must attend the getting up such a work, the profits which would remain would not be a sufficient compensation..." But two years later, on 3 June 1809, the project is very much alive: "I intend to subscribe the work to the Trade early next week in order to ascertain the number of copies to be wanted immediately..." 30 June 1809: "The fate of the Travels is going as well as could be expected..." But there are inevitable hassles: 10 July 1809: "as to the carelessness of the Binders, it is proverbial and I lament my inability to make them better..." On 10 October 1809 he plans the timing of the octavo edition. In the final letter, 22 December, he is selling Valentia a copy of Thomas Daniell's Oriental Scenery and other works. A fascinating correspondence offering insight not only on the evolution of this book, but on the London book trade of these years. Miller was one of the city's preeminent publishers and booksellers, printing the works of Samuel Richardson and Sir Walter Scott He became notorious, however, for declining Byron's Childe Harold's Pilgrimage . He sold out his business to John Murray in 1811 for £3,800.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
