An uncommon first edition of Batty's French Scenery. First Edition. With armorial nameplates for Edward Langford and Richard Leir to the front endpapers. 64 Plates. Collated, complete. Colonel Robert Batty, d.1848, was an English army officer and artist. He travelled to Italy for a brief period, and then studied at Caius College, Cambridge. Batty obtained at MB in 1813, but did not practice. Becoming an ensign in the Grenadier guards in 1813, Batty served with the 1st battalion, including at the battle of Waterloo. In 1822 he was elected FRS. He sold his commission in 1839. Batty compiled and illustrated accounts of his active service, and then illustrated topographical books on several European countries, and India. These were published throughout his time with the army. "Between 1825 and 1832 he occasionally exhibited at the Royal Academy. He suffered from paralysis, but painted until within a few weeks of his death." (DNB) Bound in half leather and marbled paper-covered boards, with gilt lettering. There is some wear to the extremities, including some bumping and rubbing. Internally the pages are generally bright with intermittent scattered spotting. Please review all pictures in detail.