PLANS, ELEVATIONS, SECTIONS AND DETAILS OF THE ALHAMBRA: From Drawings Taken on the Spot in 1834 by The Late M. Jules Goury and in 1834 and 1837 by Owen Jones, Archt by JONES, Owen - 1842

London: Owen Jones, 1842. First Edition. Hardcover. Dampstaining to lower corner margin of pages in the first volume and the top margin of the second volume to various degrees, only touching upon a few images with little effect. Minor wear to bindings. Near Fine. Two large folio (17" x 23") volumes bound in contemporary (likely publisher's) 3/4 red morocco leather and marbled boards with heavily gilt-decorated spines and contrasting gilt-lettered morocco spine labels. Illustrated with chromolithographic title pages and 102 lithographic plates, of which 70 are chromolithographs with a number heightened in gold. Most plates in the first volume have descriptive text leaves and all plates in that volume have a protective sheet inserted. Many years in planning and production, this title became one of the most important early examples of chromolithography. Owen Jones, architect, designer, and one of the most influential design theorists of the 19th century, together with Jules Goury, who died of cholera contracted while researching this book, produced the most accurate illustration and study of the patterns of the Alhambra's ornamentation. This is the earliest example of color lithography in England and established Jones as the leading authority on ornament. Abbey, TRAVEL, 156: "Jones's approach to colour printing was that of the precise architect with an eye for abstract design and the harmony of colours, an approach he carried further in his Grammar of Ornament, 1856." This title was published at the same time as Roberts's HOLY LAND and reflects the strong interest in Islam and the Near East in the 1840s.