Views of Trinadad

Paris, Lemercier, 1851. . First edition. Landscape folio (35.5 x 52.3 cm), lithographed title and 18 lithograph plates by Ciceri after Cazabon, subscribers list, contemporary cloth, later paper label to upper cover, a fine clean copy. The first edition of 'possibly the finest set of engravings that has ever been produced of the West Indes' (Maclean). Cazabon was born on 20th September 1813 on the Corynth Estate in North Naparima near San Fernando, Trinidad. At the age of thirteen he was sent to school in England and he did not return to his homeland until 1830. In 1837 he moved to Paris to study art and soon started exhibiting his works. On his return from Paris in 1848 he brought to Trinidad the new method of lithography. Quick to see the need for pictures of Trinidad, Cazabon illustrated its landscape and architecture for the families and friends of English and French settlers. In 1862 he moved to St Pierre in Martinique, but returned to Trinidad in 1870 where he spent the remainder of his life. On 20th November 1888 he died of a heart attack whilst painting at his easel. 149 copies of the present work were subscribed. The views are: Port of Spain from the Harbour; King's Wharf and South Quay-Port of Spain; Custom House and St. Vincent's Wharf; Trinity Church, Port of Spain; Catholic Church, Port of Spain; Government Buildings; Maraval Dike; The Governor's Residence, St. Anns; Queen's Park, Port of Spain; San Fernando and Naparima Hill; St. James' Barracks; Bamboo Arches, St. Anns; Village of Arima and Mount Tamana; The Cottage, Mount Tamana; Cedar Point, Mount Tamana; Maraccas Waterfall; Cascade at St. Anns; North Coast of Trinidad, from the North Post Abbey Travel 696; MacLean, Cazabon: an Illustrated Biography, 1986.