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LEAR, Edward.
Journals of a Landscape Painter in Albania, &c.
First Edition, with the author's signed presentation inscription to the novelist Charles Lever and his wife: "Mr & Mrs Charles Lever from Edward Lear. In remembrance of pleasant days passed at Florence & La Spezzia, June, July, 1861." Lear had been in Florence to make a painting for one of his most consistent patrons, Frances, Lady Waldegrave, later the wife of his close friend Chichester Fortescue. Lever was serving at the time as vice-consul at La Spezia on a minimal salary ("as I like the place, and there is nothing - actually nothing - to do, I have thought it best to accept it"), a post that helped support his writing. The book is based on two journeys Lear made through Northern and Western Greece, Albania, and Macedonia in 1848 and 1849. The lithographs in this volume are tinted with three colours - blue-grey, grey and sepia - perhaps a technical experiment on Lear's part.
Large octavo. Original blind-stamped blue morocco-grain cloth, spine decorated and lettered gilt, cream endpapers with printed adverts, Remnant & Edmonds binders' ticket at the foot of the inside rear cover. Map of Albania and region as frontispiece, 20 tinted lithographic plates printed by Hullmandel and Walton. Armorial bookplate of Richard Nevill. Rubbed, spinecaps restored, a very good copy.
