A Picturesque Tour of the English Lakes,: Containing a Description of the Most Romantic Scenery of Cumberland, Westmoreland, and Lancashire, with Accounts of Antient and Modern Manners and Customs, and Elucidations of the History and Antiquities of that part of the Country, &c. &c. Illustrated wi

London: R. Ackermann, , 1821. The greatest illustrated book on the Lake District First edition of this splendid book on the Lake District, long recognized as the finest illustrated work ever published on the region. This copy is possibly one of 100 large-paper copies (similar to Abbey's copy measuring 14 by 11.5 inches) from a total print-run of 850, originally issued in 12 monthly parts; all watermarks are pre-publication (the plates 1818 and 1820, the text 1818). Ackermann's intention was to combine the "most striking features of the various kinds of scenery of the lakes, executed by able artists in a style worthy of the subject" with "a description of all that is interesting and remarkable in the nature and appearance of the country... combining a judicious selection from the labours of former writers... with much new and original information" (publisher's introduction). Fielding and Walton spent two years in the Lake District making drawings and collecting information to produce the book, aimed in part at of tourists in search of the picturesque. Of the plates 35 are after Fielding, 12 after James Walton, his brother-in-law, and 1 after Westall. Wordsworth is quoted throughout the book. Large quarto (355 x 291 mm). Twentieth-century red morocco, spine in compartments with raised bands and gilt titles, top edge gilt, others untrimmed, generous turn-ins elaborately gilt, with florally patterned endpapers. 48 hand-coloured aquatint plates with tissue guards, similar vignette to the title page. Corners a little worn, offsetting to the tissue guards from the plates, occasionally very light spotting. An excellent copy. Abbey 192; Hardie pp. 108-9, p. 312; Tooley 219.