Portugal and Madeira
London: B. T. Batsford Ltd., 1954. First Edition. Hardcover with Dust Jacket. 8vo. Pp. 242. Frontis. color photo reproduction of a Tristam Hillier painting. Illustrated with a map and black & white gravure photo reproductions. With index. Green cloth, titles and bands stamped in gilt on the spine, pale green topstain. Spine head chipped, endpapers a trifle age toned. In the color illustrated wrap-around dust jacket reproducing a nineteenth century lithograph: chips to spine ends and short closed tears to head edge, a one-inch closed tear at front bottom edge. Very Good / Good-. Item #6932 Dust jacket now preserved in a removable clear archival sleeve.
Based on five visits between 1926 and 1953, Sitwell (younger brother of Edith and Osbert) describes the landscape, architecture, flora, food, people and customs including wonders unknown to English travelers, with seventy fine photographs. He laments that "the chisels and brooms" of misguided restorers had erased the poetry in old buildings since his first visit. Type set in Eric Gill's Perpetua and beautifully printed by William Clowes and Sons.
Price: $30.00