Scotland.- [Leveson-Gower (Elizabeth, Marchioness of Stafford, later Duchess of Sutherland)] Views in Orkney and on the North-Eastern Coast of Scotland, [one of 120 copies for presentation to friends], this copy with slip inscribed "Sir George Beaumont Bart. with Ly Stafford's compts." tipped to front free endpaper (?part of original wrapper), half-title, etched title with vignette map, 12 vignettes and 31 plates on 28 sheets, mostly views, half-title and title foxed, some other spotting, mostly marginal or to tissue guards, handsome contemporary straight-grain turquoise morocco with border of gilt rules and ornaments, spine gilt in compartments with ornaments and five double raised bands, turn-ins with gilt rules & corner-pieces and dentelles in blind, g.e., a little rubbed and spotted, endpapers slightly damp-stained, folio, [privately printed], 1807.

⁂ Sir George Beaumont (1753-1827) was an art collector, patron and amateur painter. He was a founding member of the British Institution and had strong and influential views on contemporary artists, favouring Constable but harshly critical of Turner. He was instrumental in the establishment of the National Gallery in 1824 by promising to donate 16 of his Old Master paintings, on condition that the government purchase the collection of the recently-deceased John Julius Angerstein for the nation. His paintings formed the first bequest the following year. The author's husband, the Marquess of Stafford, was also a significant art collector, having inherited a fine collection from his uncle which he greatly expanded, helped by being fabulously wealthy.