David Roberts - The Holy Land. Vol. V–VI - 1842-1855

David Roberts R.A. (1796–1864)
The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt & Nubia
Volumes V–VI bound together in one volume
London: Day & Son, Lithographers to the Queen, 1855–1856
Large folio, half-leather binding

This volume represents Volumes V and VI of David Roberts’ monumental 19th-century publication The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt & Nubia, issued in London by Day & Son, lithographers to Queen Victoria. The work stands as one of the most important visual and documentary records of the Eastern Mediterranean produced in the Victorian era.

David Roberts travelled extensively through Egypt, Sinai, Palestine, Arabia Petraea and Syria between 1838 and 1839, producing hundreds of on-site drawings. These drawings were later transferred to stone and steel by leading London craftsmen and published in sumptuous folio parts, accompanied by scholarly descriptive texts. For many European readers, Roberts’ work provided the first detailed and reliable visual record of the architecture, landscapes and daily life of the region.

The present book combines Volumes V and VI in a single contemporary bound volume, dated 1855–1856. According to bibliographical records, these two volumes were originally issued with a total of 82 engraved plates. In this copy, 63 original full-page engraved plates are present, with 19 plates missing, a fact reflected accurately in this description and visible from the images provided.

Importantly, the plates are not loose. They remain integrally bound within the volume and are accompanied by their original descriptive letterpress, printed on facing or adjoining pages. For Volumes V and VI, the historical descriptions were written by William Brockedon, F.R.S., whose texts provide architectural, historical and topographical context to the illustrated sites. As typical for this work, the volume bears no page numbering and no table of contents, consistent with original publication practice.

The subjects depicted in the present plates include architectural monuments, mosques, city gates, desert fortresses, river and coastal landscapes, as well as scenes of everyday life, figures in local dress, and views of towns and sacred sites. Roberts’ characteristic style combines romantic atmosphere with strong topographical accuracy, a balance that made his work a standard reference for travellers, historians and later Orientalist artists throughout the 19th century.

The volume is preserved in a 19th-century half-leather binding, with tooled spine and boards. The binding remains sound, showing expected wear to edges and corners. Internally, the book shows light age toning, occasional foxing and minor handling marks, consistent with a mid-19th-century folio work. The engraved plates are generally clean and well printed, retaining good clarity and detail.

Although incomplete, this volume remains a substantial and coherent historical artifact, preserving the original relationship between image and text as issued. With 63 original plates and their accompanying descriptions, it represents a significant portion of Roberts’ celebrated project and offers strong documentary, artistic and historical value for collectors of 19th-century travel books, Orientalist illustration and early visual documentation of the Middle East and Egypt.
Please note that the printed text title page of Volume V is lacking; however, the engraved title page is present, and Volume VI is complete as shown in the images.