London : Published by R. Ackermann, 96, Strand, and sold by R. Ackermann, Jun. 191, Regent Street.... 1831. First Edition
Large 4to, (340 x 280mm), title-page, 8 pages of text, 13 hand-coloured aquatint plates and one panoramic “supplimentary” plate (folded), contemporary (original?) marbled boards, very rubbed, recently rebacked in calf, large morocco title label on front board titled in gilt “Liverpool & Manchester Railway”, a very good copy.
Issued it two parts, the first of which was titled “Six Views....”on the paper wrappers and when later the same year (1831) the second part was published the printed title-page became “Coloured Views on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway”. The aquatints are all fine early impressions with watermarks on plates 3, 7, 13 and the supplimental plate reading “J. Whatman 1831”, the folded plate has the almost inevitable tear through being carelessly unfolded but this has been expertly and almost invisibly mended. Two supplimentary plates, not by Bury, were issued separately at four shillings and sixpence each and are sometimes added to the work; only one of these is present in our copy.
The provence of this copy is interesting; across the front pastedown is the signature of “Julia de Roubigné Beevor Fulcher, 1831” whose address, according to the Archdeaconry of Norfolk archives, was Stanfield Hall, Wymondham where she married Edward Palmer Clarke, solicitor in June 1846. The bookseller’s label on the front pastedown is of “John Stacy, Norwich”, leading one to the conclusion that this copy was sold new and that the binding is the original one.
“Coloured Views on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway.. is undoubtedly the finest of the various series of prints... published to mark the occasion” - Hugh Broadbent.