La Guadeloupe Pittoresque.

First edition. 12 lithograph plates, including decorative half title & large folding panorama (this with a closed tear expertly repaired). Folio (555 x 400mm). Fine original publisher's blindstamped cloth, titled in gilt on upper board. [iv], 44pp. Paris, Noblet & Baudry,

An uncommon work and probably one of the last of the few plate books devoted to the West Indies.

With a fine presentation inscription from the author's eldest son and heir Even Budan to the upper margin of the title page: "A Monsieur A. Arnaud / Souvenir affectueux / [En. Budan] Beneath there is further presentation inscription from Monsieur Arnaud: "Mon cher Commandant / Recevez ce faible souvenir, c'est l'oeuvre d'un vos amis de collège, de ce pauvre Budan qui était aussi mon ami. Songez a lui meme en parcourrant, et aussi au modests edecin que a été votre hote. A qui l'honore d'être; votre... [A Arnaud]

Born on Guadeloupe in 1827 Budan was well known as both a painter and as one of the first photographers in the Antilles, exhibiting at the Paris salons in 1863 and 1867. In November 1862 he launched a subscription for La Guadeloupe Pittoresque which was to be published in 12 livraisons (4 francs per part or 48 francs complete). The subscribers could, if they wished, have the album bound with their initials stamped in gilt on the upper board. The finished items arrived in Guadeloupe in December 1863 and were put on sale at the beginning of 1864 at the price of 50 francs for a bound copy. He died in Saint-Pierre on Martinique in 1874.

Stock Code: 200456