HOWITT (William and Mary). Ruined Abbeys and Castles of Great Britain. The Photographic Illustrations by Bedford, Sedgfield, Wilson, Fenton, and others. [Sold with:] Ruined Abbeys and Castles of Great Britain and Ireland. Second Series. The Photographic Illustrations by Thompson, Sedgfield, Ogle, and Hemphill.1862

London: A. W. Bennett, First edition, first and second series, 2 vols., small 4to (225 x 170 mm), [8], 228pp., 27 tipped-in albumen photographs; [6], 224pp., 26 tipped-in albumen photographs; some occasional minor foxing to both volumes, the first volume being the deluxe version bound in full red morocco over bevelled boards with an elaborately gilt-blocked, all-over design, in the centre of which, on both the front and back covers, are original photographs recessed within circular frames, all edges gilt, the second volume in bound in the publisher's matching original green cloth with elaborately gilt design and central photographic vignette to both covers, both in exceptional condition with just slight wear to head and foot on the second work. The 53 mounted albumen prints are by Bedford, Sedgfield, Wilson, Fenton and others, all laid in by hand. The binders are the work of Westley & Co., who are the subject of an article by Dr. Mirjam M. Foot, which first appeared in The Book Collector (Summer, 1982), and which has been included in her book, Studies in the History of Bookbinding [pp.248-250]. Provenance: From the library of Robin de Beaumont with his bookplate to the first volume. Gernsheim, 162 & 214; McLean, Victorian Publisher's Bookbindings, p.104; Truthful Lens, 89; Arts Coucil, Masterpieces of Victorian Photography, no. 435.