Lot 1982
MELTON PRIOR (1845-1910)
A FOLIO OF TOPOGRAPHICAL DRAWINGS: ST. MARY'S ISLAND, AZORES; FORT ISLAND, ESSEQUIBO (Guyana); `CUTTING DOWN AND COLLECTING BUNCHES OF BANANAS'; GOVERNMENT HOUSE, BARBADOS, RESIDENCE OF SIR CHARLES LEES; LANDING OF BAKER PASHA AT MASSOWAH (prob. Massawa, Eritrea) [see illus.]; ROUTE OF BAKER PASHA'S ARMY OFFICERS COMPELLING HIS MEN TO REMAIN ON SHORE; GENERAL BAKER PASHA VISITING AND INSPECTING FORT AT MASSOWAH (Eritrea); INTERIOR OF A BEDROOM AT A FARM HOUSE, LAUGARDALUR, ICELAND; H M PENAL SETTLEMENT AT MASSARONI, CONVICTS GOING TO BATHE (Guyana); MENDING ROADS IN BARBADOS, WOMEN WORKERS; GOVERNMENT HOUSE, MELBOURNE, FROM RUSSELL STREET [see illus.]; PORTAGE OF WHALE BOATS AT BAB-EL-KEBIR (Egypt) [see illus.]; GENERAL VIEW OF BHAMO (Myanmar) [see illus.]
Thirteen, all signed or initialled, all inscribed, mainly pencil, one pen and ink, unframed
27.5 x 44.5cm. and smaller
* Prior was a prolific artist and War Correspondent, working for the Illustrated London News for over thirty years until his retirement in 1905. Alongside his colleague William Simpson (whose drawings from the Crimea War were used extensively in the Illustrated London News), Prior worked in Africa during the Zulu Wars, the Boer War and throughout campaigns in the Sudan and Somaliland. He travelled on Royal tours to Athens and Canada in 1875 and 1901 and visited Iceland in the entourage of the King of Denmark.
Prior was admired by his editors for his swiftness and ability to capture a scene with accuracy and human interest. The clarity and neatness of his draughtsmanship allowed his despatched artwork to be readily understood, re-drawn and quickly engraved on woodblocks for printing in London. As these drawings show, he observed domestic and civilian life with just as keen an eye and the scope of his travels - all five principal continents are represented here - was remarkable.
