MOORE, Joseph. Eighteen views taken at and near Rangoon.
Bound with: MARRYAT, Frederick. Six plates illustrative of the combined operations in the Birman Empire.
London, Clay, 1825-1826
First edition, superbly illustrated with 24 fine hand-coloured aquatint plates by G. Hunt, H. Pyall, T. Fielding, and Reeve jnr., after J. Moore, F. Marryat, and Captn. Thornton.
A rare copy with interleaved explanatory text for the plates, originally supplied in small format. Tooley observes, “they are rarely present.”
Moore's Views of Rangoon are a remarkable illustrated record of the events of the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–26), retracing key moments in the British invasion of Burma (now Myanmar), as well as the lush landscapes and imposing pagodas of Rangoon (now Yangon) and its environs.
Among the 24 beautifully embellished watercolor engravings, military scenes intertwine with more traditional panoramic views, most notably the Shwedagon Pagoda, the country's most sacred Buddhist site.
Binding signed "Colnaghi - Cockspur Street"; Colnaghi is a renowned London print publisher and art dealer.
Two parts bound in a Folio volume, 525x355 mm. Quarter leather and marbled cardboard binding with corners, spine with 4 nervs, gilt title in a longitudinal direction, marbled end papers, gilt edges. 24 fine hand-coloured aquatint plates and a plate depicting the war theater.
Copy interleaved with text sheets containing the description of each plate, mounted on blank sheets. Engraved subscriber's sheet containing a large vignette by J. Bromley after Thomas Stothard. Owner's mark in gilt letters on the inner cover of binding: "Colnaghi - Cockspur Street."
Spine faded and scuffed, minor wear, internally a fine copy.