The Alhambra; With An Introduction By Elizabeth Robins Pennell Illustrated With Drawings Of The Places Mentioned By Joseph Pennell

London: Macmillan and Co, 1896. First edition. Cloth. Fine. 11" by 8". Joseph Penell. The limited edition large paper version of Pennell's masterclass in lithography, and Washington Irving's collection of essays, verbal sketches and tales, centred around the eponymous Alhambra Palace in Granada. Here in lovely condition. The lithographs in particular are considered one of Penell's finest works and are not included in the trade edition published alongside. The Alhambra has its origins in Irving's researches for his history A Chronicle of the Conquest of Granada. He raveled to Granada, where he managed to obtain access to the Alhambra palace from the governor. He was inspired by his stay there to write this work, which combines description, myth, and narrations of historical events, all the way up to the penisular wars and the earthquake in 1821. The book was first published in 1832 in the United States and England. It was highly influential, and this later limited edition is a testament to its enduring popularity. This edition was limited to 500 copies, and includes 375 vignettes and 12 original lithographs by Joseph Pennell, the celebrated American aritst and illustrator. Direct from the library of the late Hugh Selbourne MD (1906-1973) a noted book collector and diarist. In the original cloth. Externally very smart with just a little fading to the spine. The free endpapers are a little foxed. The text block is untrimmed, and therefore the edges are a little dusty. Otherwise clean and bright throughout, and generally firmly bound. Fine