German Scenery - Robert Batty - Antique Book

Author: Captain Robert Batty (1789-1848) Title: German Scenery. (From drawings made in 1820). Imprint: London, Rodwell & Martin. Technique: Steel engraving and letterpress (illustrated title page and 61 full-page steel engravings). Vellum binding, Neoclassical gilt tooling. Gilt edges on three sides. Minor scratches on the cover. Date: 1823. Dimensions: Folio (27.5 x 19 cm). The author of "German Scenery," Captain Robert Batty (1789-1848), was perhaps more widely known in his time for his involvement in the Battle of Waterloo. In 1815, at the age of 26, having served for many years in the Grenadier Guards, he was wounded at Waterloo. He documented the battle through a series of letters, which were later published with illustrations, recounting his experiences. This led to his election as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1822. Following Napoleon's fall, European affairs stabilized, and the British blockade of continental Europe ended, allowing Britons greater freedom to travel. Robert Batty seized this period of peace to journey across continental Europe multiple times. As an amateur artist, he captured numerous European landscapes. "German Scenery" is one such work from this series of travels, documenting his journeys through southeastern Germany and Austria. In addition to the illustrated title page, the book features 61 steel engravings, each accompanied by descriptive text in both English and French. "German Scenery" is not only an early collection of Robert Batty's travel imagery but also an early example of the steel engraving technique being applied to book illustrations. Concurrently, Batty's travelogues helped spark a new wave of travel book publications, with similar books featuring exquisite prints appearing across Europe well into the mid-nineteenth century. Robert Batty's related illustrated travel books include "French Scenery" (1822), "Welsh Scenery" (1823), "Scenery of the Rhine, Belgium, and Holland" (1826), "Hanoverian, Saxon, and Danish Scenery" (1828), and "Select Views of the principal Cities of Europe" (1832). He took advantage of these travels to sketch the landscapes of various regions and regularly exhibited his works at the Royal Academy of Arts. Additionally, it is worth noting that on the dedication page of "German Scenery," he expressed his particular gratitude to his father-in-law, John Barrow (1764-1848). Barrow was then Secretary to the Admiralty. Batty married his daughter in 1821. Barrow had previously been the mathematics tutor to the son of the British explorer Sir George Leonard Staunton (1737-1801). Consequently, when Staunton served as the Second Commissioner in the British Embassy to China in 1793 (with Lord Macartney as the First Commissioner), he recommended Barrow to serve as Macartney's treasurer. Barrow's compiled records concerning China, featured in Staunton's account "An Authentic Account of an Embassy from the King of Great Britain to the Emperor of China," provided valuable documentation. This account, offering a Western perspective on the Qianlong Emperor's prosperous reign, has become an important historical resource for studying mid-Qing dynasty history. From a collector's perspective, this edition of "German Scenery" is unique due to its special vellum binding, complemented by Neoclassical gilt ornamentation from the late Georgian era (George III, 1738-1820), making it a rare find. This style, deeply influenced by the classical traditions of ancient Greece and Rome, features lines that are dignified yet not ponderous, detailed yet not fussy, bestowing upon the entire volume an aura of refined elegance. The title, highlighted in red Morocco goatskin, stands out like a precious ruby against the ivory vellum binding. *Please feel free to message us with any detailed inquiries. *Our shop primarily features Western antiques, vintage jewelry, home decor, and old European prints and books. As these are vintage items, they may bear traces of their history and age. We believe these signs of time contribute to their unique character and can enhance one's living space with a distinctive sense of taste and aesthetic. However, we kindly ask those who are sensitive to such details to consider carefully before purchasing.