Moore, Lieut. Joseph (fl. circa 1825) Eighteen Views Taken at & near Rangoon.
London: Thomas Clay, 1825-1826.
Oblong folio, illustrated with engraved allegorical title with dedication; engraved list of subscribers with mezzotint vignette by J. Bromley after T. Stothard at head; and 18 hand-colored aquatints, plate 7 without the word "Proof" in the lower margin (no priority); bound in half red morocco over marbled boards, gilt-lettered spine (plates 6 and 17 misbound, minor marginal stains and light soiling to plates; stain to title verso, some foxing to subscriber lists; rebacked and recornered, lightly rubbed, some chipping and small repairs to edges); 21 x 14 in.
This scarce portfolio records the landscapes and conflicts of the First English-Burmese War (1824-1826) in vivid detail. The engravings are by G. Hunt, H. Pyall and T. Fielding after drawings produced by Moore while on expedition in-country. Despite the English victory, the war is considered one of the costliest in British Indian history, contributing to a massive economic crisis and thus the weakening of the East India Company. This first series of Views was printed with an accompanying quarto text volume, not included here, and was followed by a second series created by Capt. Frederick Marryat in 1826.
Abbey Travel II, 404; Tooley 334.
Provenance: Nenborough armorial bookplate to front pastedown.
