COCKBURN JAMES, “SWISS SCENERY from Drawings by Major Cockburn”, London, Rodwell & Martin, 1820. First edition, in 4to, p. vii, 200. With 60 engraved plates and an engraved titlepage with vignette by F. Goodall, C. Heath, C. Westwood, & others, after Cockburn. COMPLETE with tissue guards.

James Pattison Cockburn (18 March 1779 – 18 March 1847) was an artist, author and military officer, who was trained at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. There he also received training in drawing which was related to the skills required for topography. Throughout his time in the army, which took him to many parts of the world, he sketched and produced a steady flow of travel books which he illustrated himself.

During periods of leave from Malta and Woolwich he executed many drawings of continental scenery, which were engraved and published in the 1820s. The present collection of engravings of Swiss scenery (Alps and elsewhere in Italy and Switzerland) includes views of Mont Blanc, Vevay, Lausanne, Neuchâtel, Berne, Lucerne, the Castles of Martigny, etc.

Beautifully bound in contemporary leather red morocco, fine tooling in gilt with paneling filets and fleurons, all edges gilt, spines richly decorated in gilt. External wear along edges and joints with small chipped parts of spines extremities. Scattered light foxing mainly affecting plate margins, clean and tight overall. Titlepage a bit ragged around edges, with some spotting. Lanks coat of arms stamp on front end paper.

Impressive Genevas panorama painted over gold edges! Real nice copy.