Lot 219: Charles William Meredith van de Welde (1818-1898) VUES DE JAVA, SUMATRA, BORNEO, CELEBES. 1846

VAN DE VELDE, Charles William Meredith (1818-1898). Vues de Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Celebes, et autres possessions Hollandaises dans les grandes indes, dessinis d'après nature. Amsterdam: François Buffa et Fils, 1846. Rare first French edition, finely produced on large paper, of a classic work on Indonesian topography. The lithographs, after sketches drawn by Van de Velde over a period of ten years, are an important record of the archipelago at the time. They include a range of subjects and locations across the Dutch East Indies, from views of harbours, waterfalls, and temples, to portraits of nobility and the scene of a visit to the Sultan of Ternate. Haks & Maris, p.273; Bastin & Brommer pp. 22-24, notes 360, 377, 378; Landwehr, Dutch Colour Plates 459 (vide). Large folio (573 x 416mm). Engraved title-page vignette, 50 lithographic plates printed on India paper, captioned in Dutch and French, lithographed by Paulus Lauters and printed by Buffa in Amsterdam (some spotting, small marginal waterstain outside plate marks on most leaves). Contemporary gilt-panelled plum morocco, large gilt lozenge device at centre on upper and lower covers, inner gilt dentelles, all edges gilt (re-hinged, neat repairs to corners and spine ends). Provenance: Knowsley Hall, Lancashire (engraved armorial bookplate).