London, Charles Tilt, 1838. 8vo (19.5 x 12.6 cm). Title page, [iii], 242, [ii,] 8 pp.; 22 engraved plates (two acting as frontispieces). Contemporary full pebbled, blind-stamped calf. Spine with gilt palm tree, camel, and banner with title; boards with gilt Indian elephant with riders and umbrella, and blind-tooled snakes. Yellow endpapers. All edges gilt.

John Hobart Caunter (1792-1851) was an English cleric and writer. "Serving briefly in India as a cadet, he entered the Church and served as the Incumbent Minister of Portland Chapel in Marylebone, London, for 19 years. His writings primarily focused on Biblical subjects and on India, his best-known work being a collection of tales, The Romance of History. India (1836)" (Wikipedia). The Oriental Annual ... "has been undertaken with a view of illustrating that portion of the civilized world, which is especially rich in magnificent objects and even in natural and artificial wonders" (the author, in his preface). Caunter proceeded in praising the artist, William Daniell (1769-1837) "a residence of ten years in India". The illustrations - mainly of scenery and buildings - are accurate, artistic and rich in details indeed. These illustrations were published posthumously. This may be regarded as a follow-up to Daniell's great work on India, Oriental Scenery, published in six parts between 1795-1808. In the rear two publisher's catalogues. Light rubbing to board and spine edges; front inner joint tender; small oval label with handwritten number on the front pastedown, otherwise very good, clean.