Beschreibung:

BARKER, Robert (1739-1806).] Description of a View of the North Coast of Spitzbergen, Now Exhibiting in the Large Rotunda of Henry Aston Barker's Panorama, Leicester-Square; Painted from Drawings taken by Lieut. Beechey who Accompanied the Polar Expedition in 1818 and Liberally Presented Them to the Proprietor . London: printed by James and Charles Adlard, 1819. Rare polar-themed ephemera relating to Barker's panorama in Leicester Square. This was a popular attraction, visited even by John Keats who was left tongue-tied. He wrote to his brother the month of its opening, "I have been very much pleased with the Panorama of the ships at the North Pole—with the icebergs, the Mountains, the Bears, the Walrus—the seals the Penguins—and a large whale floating back above the water—it is impossible to describe the place" ( Letters 1814-1821 , p. 95). The illustration is a double-decker panorama which was the first floor exhibit. On the second floor was the view of Petersburg depicted in the accompanying print. These would have been purchased as viewing guides at Barker's Panorama. Octavo (225 x 143mm). Engraved folding plate (detached and laid in, wear to folds). Contemporary plain wrappers titled in manuscript. WITH: View of the City of St. Petersburg ... A View of the North Coast of Spitzbergen . [London:] printed by J. Adlard, [1819]. A single sheet, with wood-engraved view of Petersburg in roundel form (trimmed and laid down). Provenance: Matthew Heath (contemporary ownership signature with address on pamphlet cover) – Edward J. Lefkowicz Inc., and Bookworm and Silverfish.