Swan's Views of the Lakes of Scotland, Parts 1-8 Proof Copy - Sales Prospectus, c. 1836

Joseph Swan (1796-1872) was one of Scotland's foremost 19th-century engravers and publishers, known for his finely detailed steel-plate views of Scottish scenery. His Views of the Lakes of Scotland (first issued in 16 parts between 1834 and 1836) combined landscape paintings by John Fleming (1792-1845) with descriptive texts by John M. Leighton (1822-1877), offering a rich visual and literary tour of Scotland's most celebrated lochs. The work was sold by subscription, with early proof impressions such as this used to attract prospective patrons. Swan's engravings are noted for their precision, atmospheric depth, and contribution to the romantic visual identity of 19th-century Scotland.

A very rare variant of this well-known Scottish work, depicting beautiful steel engravings of many of Scotland's lakes (lochs). In Publisher's binding, with gilt title to front cover clearly defined as 'PROOF'. This proof copy depicts scenes and descriptions from the first 8 (of a total of 16) parts of this work, and also carries a bound-in copy of the sales prospectus at the front. 

Published by Joseph Swan, Engraver, Glasgow. The work was first published in 1836, so this is likely to be from that year or the year previously in 1835.

Part I of Swan's Views of the Lakes of Scotland; with Historical and Descriptive Illustrations by John M. Leighton, Esq., Engraved on Steel, In Line, by Joseph Swan, from Paintings in Oil, Done Expressly for the Work, by John Fleming.

A good navy blue moiré cloth hardback, with ripple like pattern. Publisher's tooled gilt title to front designated this copy as a 'Proof'. With some shelf wear and rubbing. Bumped to corners. Spine a little faded. Binding is a little weak in places with some exposed gutters.

Text with rough-cut edges with some darkening to extremities. With light scattered spotting throughout, including tissue guards. The guards have protected the main images well, which are bright and clear.

Please note: some of the photos shown here show a colour moiré pattern in places - this is just an interference pattern caused by digital camera processing of the fine engraving lines. The images are all true black and white images in real life!

Although imperfect, a very scarce variant of a fine work.

3 (bound-in prospectus) + (iii) + 104pp + (22) tissue guarded plates + (2) Vignette titles.

Language: English.

Dimensions: Approximately 293mm high x 231mm wide x 23mm deep.

Unpacked weight approximately 1.05kg.