by one of the pioneers of alpinism and alpine painting

One of the pioneers of alpinism and alpine painting, Bourrit (1739-1819) accompanied de Saussure on his first ascents of the Alps and illustrated his Voyages dans les Alpes (1791-96). In addition, he published his own descriptions of the Alpine regions, of which the present work is the most comprehensive. The engravings are by the French engraver Rose Angélique Moitte after Bourrit's drawings.

The binder was a German called Christian Kalthoeber who emigrated to England and managed to establish himself as a successful bookbinder in London in the late eighteenth century. Chillingham is a mediaeval castle was located in Northumberland.

Second edition; 3 vols, 8vo (20 x 13 cm); folding map, 13 engraved copper plates, marbled endpapers, bookplates of Chillingham Castle, bookplate in vol. I of previous owner, binder's label; bound in contemporary full marbled calf, gilt ruled, spine gilt decorated and lettered, lower joint in vol one slightly loose but holding, extremities a little rubbed, overall a fine copy; pp. xvi, 308, 244, 282.

Perret 0660; Meckly 026