Most plates are signed 'L. Haghe' in the plate, and as lithographically printed by Day & Son. The title-plate has an embossed stamp, 'Printsellers T McLean 26 Haymarket', bottom left.
The work is dedicated by Louis Haghe to Louise, Queen of the Belgians.
References
J.M. Friedman, Color Printing in England 1486-1870 [exhibition catalogue] (1978), no. 130, p.46; Travel In Aquatint And Lithography 1770-1860 From The Library Of J.R. Abbey ... A Bibliographical Catalogue Volume I (1956, repr. 1972, 1991), no. 41, p.45-6.
M. Twyman, Lithography 1800-1850 (1970).
Summary Note
According to the Prospectus for this work (bound into the Royal Academy's copy), as well as this 'Imperial Folio, printed with extra tints, giving an effect never before produced ... £4 4 0', the work was also available in 'Coloured Copies, in imitation of the Original Drawings, mounted in Portfolio ... 10 0 0'.
The plates are captioned within the plate and are described briefly in the List Of Plates and more fully in the Prospectus. They show exterior and interior views of churches and public buildings in Bruges, Antwerp, Mons, Louvain, Nivelles, Hoogstract, Brussels, Aerscot, Gheel, Ghent, Oudenarde, Ratisbone, Trèves, Nuremberg, Herenthals and Heidelberg, in late-Gothic or Northern Renaissance styles. They are peopled with figures dressed in 17th-century costume. This was the third and last collection of Haghe's sketches in Belgium and Germany (two earlier collections having been published in 1840 and 1845). The prints were made using two different tint stones.
Provenance
Purchased 1874-5 (see 'List of Books Purchased and Presented', RA Annual Report for 1874-5, Appendix No. 5, p. 41).
Copy Note
At the rear is bound in a one-leaf 'Prospectus Of Haghe's Portfolio Of Sketches, Belgium - Germany, 1850.' (London: Published By Thomas M'Lean, 26 Haymarket.).
Binding Note
19th-century quarter brown morocco, brown cloth-covered boards, upper cover lettered 'Belgium Haghe's Portfolio Of Sketches Germany.'; spine lettered 'Haghe's Portfolio of Sketches - Belgium & Germany'.