BONAR LAW, Andrew & BONAR LAW, Charlotte. The Irish Prints of James Malton (Limited edition)

Dublin: The Neptune Gallery, 1999. Quarto. pp. [i–iii], 117, [1]. Profusely illustrated throughout with colour reproductions of Malton’s celebrated Irish views. Original blue cloth, spine lettered in gilt, in the original illustrated dust jacket. A fine, fresh copy. Limited edition of 500 copies.

A handsome and scholarly modern study devoted to the Irish views of James Malton (1761–1803), whose Picturesque and Descriptive Views of the City of Dublin remains one of the most important visual records of late eighteenth-century Dublin. The present work provides a detailed analysis of the plates, their production, variants, and watermarks, together with an informed discussion of the Malton family and the broader context of architectural and topographical print-making in Ireland.

Of particular value is the technical examination of the editions and issues, including notes on coloured copies and a useful appendix of contemporary material relating to the publication and reception of the views. The inclusion of high-quality colour reproductions allows for close comparison with the original aquatints, making this an indispensable reference work for collectors, dealers, and institutions handling Malton material.

Published by The Neptune Gallery, Dublin—long associated with fine prints and Irish topographical material—this limited edition has itself become a desirable companion volume to original Malton prints and books.

A key modern reference on one of the most important Irish printmakers of the eighteenth century.

James Malton’s Dublin views (published 1791–1799) are widely regarded as the finest series of architectural aquatints produced in Ireland. They document the city at the height of its Georgian development, depicting buildings such as the Custom House, Parliament House, and the Four Courts. Their combination of architectural precision and atmospheric composition has ensured enduring demand among collectors. Modern scholarly works such as the present volume are essential tools in distinguishing editions, assessing colouring, and understanding the complex publication history of Malton’s work.

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