GEORGIA, ILLUSTRATED IN A SERIES OF VIEWS, Embracing Natural Scenery and Public Edifices, Engraved on Steel by Rawdon, Wright, Hatch, and Smillie, from Sketches Made Expressly for this Work, by T. Addison Richards;

Penfield, Georgia: W. And W. C. Richards, 1842. [The title continues:] "Accompanied by Historical and Topographical Sketches, by Our Own Writers." 44 pages of text + 13 engraved plates by T. Addison Richards. First edition. 4to. The deluxe edition bound in full black leather, with gilt-stamped decoration. It has been professionally rebacked in black leather, with sympathetic gold-stamped title; new light-tan laid paper endpapers. Georgia Illustrated was the first book by landscape artist Thomas Addison Richards (1820-1900), whose topographical drawings were the basis for the steel engravings. The book was a collaboration between the artist and his brother William Carey Richards(1818-1892), who edited the essays that accompanied the illustrations. Howes R252; Sabin 70963; Willingham & Harwell, Georgiana #32. In selecting the book for their list of the most collectible Georgia books, Willingham & Harwell described it as "One of the most sumptuous of all early Georgia works. . . . It is for his [Richards] illustrations, from romantic north Georgia vales to stark buildings of architectural distinction, that this publication is remembered and held in esteem." It is an important work and scarce--WorldCat locates only 25 copies in libraries worldwide. The book is clean and tight, with original gilding bright and unrubbed. Internally, there is the usual foxing and offsetting associated with the engraved plates. Only a few of the protective tissues remain.. First Edition. Hardcover. Collectible-Very Good. Illus. by T. Addison Richards. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. Book.