Views of the Interior and Exterior of Windsor Castle

London: Thomas M'Lean, 1848. Folio. (28 x 21 1/4 inches). Letterpress title, dedication to Queen Victoria (one leaf); prefatory note (one leaf); "List of Plates" (one leaf); and 25 leaves of text descriptions of the plates. Lithographic title with vignette finished by hand and text printed in blue, and 25 very fine printed colour lithographic plates, hand-finished by Nash and mounted on card heightened with gum arabic and outlined in gold. Title printed in blue with hand-coloured vignette, dedication to Queen Victoria printed in blue. Half red morocco over blue velvet boards, flat spine, lettered gilt.

Very rare "Royal" issue, with the plates hand finished by Nash and mounted on card.

First edition of this "early example of three-colour printing. The figures and smaller details are hand-finished by the artist, this being one of the few 'Royal Copies'" (Abbey). Nash, an architectural draughtsman and student of Pugin, was commissioned by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to record the visits of the monarchs of France and Russia. These drawings were then supplemented with further views to complete the series. "On the various occasions when the Continental Sovereigns were entertained by Her Majesty at Windsor Castle, Mr. Nash had the honour of receiving Her Majesty's commands to make Drawings of the scenes illustrative of the state and ceremony which distinguish the Royal hospitality ... From those Drawings originated the idea of making a Series of Plates that should embrace, not only the already well-known Views of the Castle, and the Apartments denominated 'State' but those less known and visited, the more elegant and private portion of the Castle; more particularly the Residence of the Sovereign [...]" (preliminary text). The most elaborate and beautiful of Nash's publications.

Abbey, Scenery 360; Tooley 339.