Scenery of the Windward and Leeward Islands (1837)

John Herbert Caddy was a lieutenant in the Royal Engineers of the British Army who was sent on multiple tours of duty in the West Indies in the 1820s and 1830s. Like many other military artists he was trained in topographical sketching and painting at Woolwich. During his travels in the region he painted views which later appeared in this beautiful portfolio of hand colored aquatint plates featuring the Caribbean islands of St. Kitt, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, and Dominica.

This was supposed to be the first of four portfolios but the only one ever actually published, sold as a set of "highly coloured views" for £3.10 according to a contemporary advertisement.

Issued without text or title page. Title comes from printed cover binding of the portfolio. (Abbey)

Oblong folio. (16 x 22 inches). 12 hand colored aquatints after Caddy engraved by Fielding, Harris, Hunt and Westall. Each print measuring approximately 12 3/4 x 15 1/2 inches.

References:

Abbey Travel II 692; Sabin III 9824; Bobins 4. The Exotic and the Beautiful I:04.


1. Front Cover
10. View from Morne Fortune, St. Lucia [Engraved by J. Harris]
11. Roseau, Dominica. [Engraved by J. Harris]
12. The Rabacca or Dry River, Soufriere Mountain in the distance, St. Vincent. [Engraved by W. Westall]
13. Basaltic Rocks in Washilabou or Cumberland Valley, St. Vincent. [Engraved by W. Westall]
14. Back Cover
2. Brimstone Hill, St. Kitts. [Engraved by J. Harris]
3. Fort Charlotte, St. Vincent's from Kingston. [Engraved by N. Fielding]
4. The Old Crater of the Soufriere, St. Vincent. [Engraved by W. Westall]
5. The Pitons or Sugar-loaves, St. Lucia. [Engraved by C. Hunt]
6. Sandy Point, St. Kitts. [Engraved by C. Hunt]
7. Pigeon Island, & Village of Gros Islet, St. Lucia. [Engraved by J. Harris]
8. The Town of Castries, St. Lucia. [Engraved by N. Fielding]
9. Kingstown / St. Vincent's from Cane-Garden Point. [Engraved by J. Harris]