The Beauties of Cambria; Consisting of sixty views in North and South Wales; Each view accompanied by a page of Letter-Press

HUGHES H [Hugh] 1790-1863

Published by The Proprietor, London, 1823

About this Item

VG, 1st ed, 1823, 60 pls. In modern half calf (by Bayntum), over red marbled boards, gilt tooling. Spine, raised bands, gilt tooling & dates, titles in gilt to green calf label. Internally, new endpapers, [10], followed by 60 pls, each accompanied by a leaf of descriptive text, occasional light spot. (Oblong 247*200 mm). A very good example, Hughes, painter and engraver, was born at Pwll-y-gwichiad, near Llandudno. His wood-engravings entitled Beauties of Cambria (1823) was published by subscription and became his best-known work. All the views were engraved by himself, fifty-eight from his own drawings. His engraving style has been compared to that of Thomas Bewick. His treatment of natural objects was realistic, minute, and laborious, and his foliage always graceful. Four of these 'singularly beautiful wood engravings' are reproduced in Chatto (Chatto, 538-40). See ODNB for a full Bio. Oblong, in attractive contemporary full long grain maroon morocco, decorative gilt tooling. Re-spined, old laid down, raised bands, decorative gilt tooling and titles. Internally, no pagination, title within triple lined box, dedication, preface, followed by an interesting 3 page list of subscribers with a contents list to verso, followed by the leaves of plates and text, most plates tissue guarded, "Presented by the Author" to tp along with something else not discernible, brown marbled endpapers, occasional light spotting, crease & short repaired margin tear to last pl. An example in better than usual condition. (190*240 mm). Hughes, Hugh [pseud. Cristion], painter and engraver. Between 1819 and 1822 he worked at Meddiant Farm on a volume of wood-engravings entitled Beauties of Cambria (1823) which was published by subscription and which became his best-known work. All the views were engraved by himself, fifty-eight from his own drawings. See ODNB. & Roberts Eminent Welshmen 180.

Seller Inventory # 007454

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Beauties of Cambria; Consisting of sixty views in North and South Wales; Each view accompanied by a page of Letter-Press
• Publisher: The Proprietor, London
• Publication Date: 1823
• Language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: HUGHES Hugh
• Edition: First Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Signed: Inscribed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
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