Lot No: 9034

Peter Henry Emerson: 'Marsh Leaves', London, David Nutt, 1895, one of only 100 deluxe edition copies, 15 (of 16) photogravure plates on Japanese Vellum (wants plate XI ''The Bridge'', some plates slightly trimmed at margins, not affecting plate impressions or images), original brown morocco gilt backed decorative cloth. Emerson's last photographically illustrated Broads' book, his masterpiece and final statement of art and life. Born in Cuba in 1856 of an American coffee planter and English mother, he graduated from King's College as a doctor, but did not take the profession further, pursuing an interest in photography which he revolutionised as an art form. It was whilst staying at Southwold in 1885 he had his first introduction to the Broads, when he hired the yacht Emily with his brother. Over the next decade he dedicated himself to Naturalistic photography and writings of life and people among the marshes, broads and fens of East Anglia, often putting himself at odds with the establishment of Victorian Photography. He frequently worked from a small boat, and would sometimes clamp the heavy camera to the gunwale, on other occasions he lashed 8 foot poles to the tripod legs and set the tripod up in the water. The quality and results of his meticulous work were undeniably superb, far in advance of the normal methods of the time. Emerson lived at various times on a houseboat at Breydon, at Southwold, on a wherry in which he voyaged around the Broads, and at Oulton Broad.

Sale Price: £3,400.00