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New York:: Anson D. F. Randolph, 1862., 1862. Folio. Tinted lithographic half-title with 12 vignettes by Charles Parsons, printed by Endicott & Co. (dated 1862), title-page, 20 chromolithographic plates by Charles Parsons after van Lennep, printed by Endicott & Co. of New York; some foxing and occasional waterstain (protruding into some plates and title). Modern brown morocco-backed and preserving original brown pebbled gilt-stamped (depicting a desert oasis with 2 palm trees, a woman riding a camel, being led by a bearded man), cloth boards, gilt spine bands. RARE. First and only edition of this remarkable album containing 20 chromolithographic plates, one of the most ambitious color-plate books of the American Civil War period (1861-64). The production of this large format album with printed text and plates, was based on the writings and drawings of Henry J. van Lennep, a Missionary in Turkey who returned to the United States in 1861. The book contains an introduction wherein the author acknowledges the valuable contribution of Charles Parsons, of New York, and that of the publisher, Messrs. Endicott & Co., "who was patiently overcome the difficulties inherent, especially in this country [referring to the war], to a work of such magnitude and novelty" The author states, "The sketches are all portraits, and every picture has been drawn directly from nature." / "The one really big chromolithographic book of this decade . . . the art is simple, but [Charles] Parson's hand is obvious in the good lithography, and Endicott's printing is well done for its time" -- McGrath. / "Endicott achieved a rich variety of color which demonstrated the increased technical ability of American printers in the medium" -- Reese. / The large chromolithographic plates feature colorful scenes of men or women in costumes common to their tribe or race, as found in and around the Ottoman Empire and Asia Minor. The plates include six scenes of Armenian peoples, five scenes with Turkish persons, two scenes of Jewish people (one is a wedding) in the Ottoman Empire, one Russian (Circassian) to the north. Included are plates of (1) Turkish and Armenian Ladies (abroad); (2) A Turkish Effendi; (3) Armenian Lady (at home); (4) Turkish Scribe; (5) Turkish Lady of Rank (at home); (6) Turkish Cavass (police officer); (7) Turkish Lady (unveiled); (8) Armenian Piper; (9) Armenian Ladies (at home); (10) Armenian Marriage Procession; (11) Armenian Bride; (12) Albanian Guard; (13) Armenian Peasant Woman; (14) Bagdad Merchant (travelling); (15) Jewish Marriage; (16) Jewish Merchant; (17) Gypsy Fortune Telling; (18) Bandit Chief; (19) Circassian Warrior; (20) Druse Girl. / Henry J. Van Lennep (1815-1889), born in Smyrna (present-day Izmir, Turkey) Turkey, the son of European merchants. In 1830 he was sent to the United States for his education, which he undertook in Massachusetts. " He prepared for college at Mount Pleasant Institute, Amherst, Mass., and Hartford (Conn.) Grammar School. After graduating from Amherst College in 1837, he attended Andover Theological Seminary for one year, then studied with Rev. Joel Hawes in Hartford and was ordained a Congregational minister in 1839." He returned to Turkey in 1840 to serve as a Missionary. There is remained for twenty-nine years. During this time he wrote of his experiences, made numerous drawings and oil paintings. Returning to the United States in 1861, he turned his drawings of Middle Eastern life into this Oriental Album. "Van Lennep was proficient in numerous languages and was also a skillful artist, sketching (in pencil or pen and ink) scenes from his extensive travels. Many of his drawings appeared in published works, which include The Oriental Album: Twenty Illustrations, in Oil Colors, of the People and Scenery of Turkey, with an Explanatory and Descriptive Text (1862); Travels in Little-known Parts of Asia Minor: with Illustrations of Biblical Literature and Researches in Archaeology (1870); and Bible Lands: thei. Seller Inventory # MEE1078
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