Account of a Tour in Normandy; undertaken chiefly for the purpose of investigating the architectural antiquities of the duchy, with observations on its history, on the country, and on its inhabitants. Illustrated with numerous engravings.

London:: Printed for John and Arthur Arch, Cornhill, 1820., 1820. "Letters from Normandy addressed to the Rev. James Layton, B.A. of Catfield, Norfolk" – Half-title. 2 volumes. 8vo. vii, [1], [5], 227, [1], [10]; [16], 300, [14] pp. 50 plates [etchings by Mrs. Dawson Turner and the Misses Turner (signed chiefly "MAT" and "ET") after J.S. Cotman. Cf. Allibone], figures; vol. I first leaves each neatly mounted on new tabs, including the title-page, preface leaf with closed tear, cellophane tape applied to margin of p. 8. Modern half maroon cloth, marbled boards, spine labels, gilt-stamped titles, marbled endleaves. Bindings are fine, the interior is very good. A history of Normandy, including the Norman Conquest, focusing on a family tour of the countryside, taking notes on architectural monuments and on the people of the region. The region is quite beautiful and has an extremely important history for both France and England. This copy of Turner's account is embellished with manuscript notes and added plates, even 2 beautiful watercolor drawings, tipped into the volume and offering additional reflections on the text and the region. / Turner and his children were taught drawing by renowned Norfolk artist John Sell Cotman who became a good friend. They travelled to Normandy together and collaborated on a book, Architectural Antiquities of Normandy, published in 1822, with Cotman providing the etchings. / OF THE NUMEROUS ADDED PLATES, DRAWINGS, ENGLISH LETTERS OR MANUSCRIPT NOTES: [VOL. I] there is a printed map of Rouen and environs, France. The first manuscript bears the name of A. Pugin, who described the present work with etchings by Cotman. Pugin comments that the Cotman drawings are not to proper scale, to the detriment of architects who may have an interest for such things. On the next leaf, in French manuscript, appears the name of Roberto de Tresgoz [Tregoz] (1190-1265), whose family was prominent in Normandy. MAN OF THE MANUSCRIPT NOTES, written either on separate sheets and mounted, OR actual ink manuscript edits to the printed text – both indicating corrections to the author's text. For example, on page 2, the footnote received two edits, the more important of which states [continuing the final statement on the page] "regular, having perhaps been upheaved by subterranean power like that of Dover, and Brighton Cliffs. The flint is nodular and shattered tabular flint. The origin of that flint, and the cause of its insulated situation in chalk, when alone it is found, and more especially the cause of its fractured or shattered state has long puzzled Geological Inquirers." Vol. I, p. 81 finds another manuscript leaf tipped into the volume "Mr. [Frederic] Shoberl in his Excursions in Normandy [1841] thinks that the ebb . . . for many miles around." W.B. [initials]. Facing vol. I p. 84 is a tipped-in original watercolor drawing. Facing p. 120 is a tipped-in steel engraved plate of "Rouen, looking up the river". With the late is the text-page identifying the scene. These are both taken from Leitch Ritchie, Wanderings by the Seine, with twenty engravings by J.M.W. Turner, London, 1834 [see also p. 167 for another TURNER plate]. Page 125 displays a 3-line ink ms. appendage mounted on the foot of the page. Another tipped-in set of leaves from Ritchie's 1834 includes a plate of the Cathedral de Rouen. Facing p. 147 is a tipped-in manuscript, in ink, with a blind-stamp that reads "A.Then.Eum" with a belt and its buckle showing, incorporating this moniker. I do not know what this indicates. However, on the same leaf is written, "Re[v]d' W. Petit speaking of the iron steeple lately erected on Rouen Cathedral, says comparing it with the stone steeple at Freybourg which affords a proof …" W.B. [initials]. Additional manuscripts found on pages 182, 216/7. / [VOL. II] Within this volume are an added engraved map of Eure, a manuscript record of the Norman Rolls of John + Henry V, and a Catalogue list – by Slow – page 107, Chronicle of Normans at Battle of Hastings, Normandy (year 1066). "Roll of Battle Abbey" Also mounted before the title-page are more manuscripts: "The Great Rolls of the Norman Exchequer, that part published by Mr. [George] Petrie [1790-1866] was reprinted by the Society of Norman Antiquaries in 1834 . . ." Another leaf, written in Latin, references King John of England (1166-1216), mentioning especially the year 1200. Facing p. 1 is a pencil sketch on Whatman paper. Page 3: an ink marginal edit. Page 7: more pencil edits. Page 13: "M. Langlois was well known to my friend [Mr.] G.J.L. Noble, who painted his portrait. M.L. died about 1833." Page 33: "W.B. also observed and noted it." Pages 49-50, 59: ink corrections of the text. Various pages with pencil corrections as well, including page 66. Page 92: tipped in is a pencil sketch and an ink 12-line manuscript. Page 94: pencil sketch tipped-in. 97: ink marginalia. 118: 10-line ink manuscript note referencing the Norman Antiquaries. Page 127: the ink marginalia is initialed W.B. Page 138: tipped in article by George Godwin Jr., "Ancient Architectural Remains in Lower Normandy." [pp. 7-13]. This is inscribed by the author, with compliments. Page 160: mounted on the facing engraved plate is a second watercolor drawing (same artist as the first one in the first volume). Page 169: "W. River has noticed the bas relief medaillons [sic] on the fortified manor house at [Chateau de Calix] Calix. Page 170: tipped-in engraving of the Chateau, its plan. Page 171: 3 manuscript ink notes tipped-in along with some marginalia. Page 177: 9-line ink note mounted at lower margin. Page 179: two slips tipped-in with ink notes. 180: tipped-in with ink notes. Plate facing p 181 with 5-line ink note mounted lower margin of plate. Page 204: offprint by George Godwin, Jr., "Ancient Architectural Remains in Lower Normandy." [pp. 15-20]. Page 205: ink notes taken from an 1839 issue of the Antiquarian Society [Society of Norman Antiquaries]. Page 236: ink manuscript referencing [Arundel Society?] M.S. Arundel and the Bayeux Tapestry. Page 242: ink notes. / "Dawson Turner, banker, botanist, antiquary, bibliophile and art- patron, is chiefly known to librarians and bibliographers as the owner of a remarkable library of printed books and manuscripts, and as the author of a number of works, most of which are privately printed and rare." – Dawson (below). / Undocumented provenance: From the library of Eugene Eric de Henseler (1889-1960), University of Fribourg, Switzerland. His family also had descendants from England. / REFERENCES: Dawson, Warren R., A bibliography of the printed works of Dawson Turner, Transactions of the Cambridge Bibliographical Society, Vol. 3, No. 3 (1961), pp. 232-256. No. 21. (Inventory #: LV2732)