Graphite and Red Chalk Pencil Sketch Book

A truly impressive illustrated sketch book, featuring nineteen beautiful red chalk and graphite pencil illustrations of landscapes. A wonderful illustrated 19th century sketch book, apparently the work of 'I.-I.', whose initials appear to the front board, with the pencil date of 1863 to the front free endpaper.With an impressive graphite and red chalk pencil illustration to each of the nineteen leaves, with depictions of hills, lakes and oceans, mountains, ruins and towns.In an attractive contemporary morocco backed binding, with 'Album' to the front board.With the bookplate of James S. Dearden to the front pastedown. He was a Ruskin enthusiast credited with launching the Ruskin revival, and with advising three generations of Ruskin scholars. In the original calf backed cloth covered boards. Significant rubbing to back strip, with head of front joint and tail of rear joint starting, and boards firmly held. Bookplate to front pastedown. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright, with light handling marks and the odd spot to perimeters of illustrations. Good.…