Geology Compton, Margaret and Spencer Joshua Alwyne Isle of Staffa. Collection of 10 original pen and ink drawings and one original etching. (Isle of Staffa, around 1810-1813). Pen and wash drawings, partly heightened in white. Each mounted on blue paper. Sheet dimensions of the drawings approx. 32.8 x 24 cm, the etching 27 x 18 cm. Loosely mounted in paper envelope of the period with mounted engraved view of Staffa Island (this slightly dusty and somewhat unevenly trimmed with restored tear). Very early series of drawings of the remarkable geological structures of the Scottish Isle of Staffa, made by two English visitors. Margaret Compton, née Maclean Clephane (ca. 1795-1830), was a gifted poet, musician and artist and a favourite of Sir Walter Scott (who was her godfather and guardian). In 1815 she married Spencer Joshua Alwyne Compton (1790-1815). One of the drawings is dated 1813 in handwriting, the unsigned etching with the handwritten note Staffa, (?) by L. Comp.(ton) on the backing paper, a drawing on the backing paper with the handwritten note Copied from a drawing of Lady Compton. Sir Walter Scott visited the island of Staffa in 1810, followed by Spencer Compton in 1813. The drawings bear witness to a very early interest in the geological peculiarity of the island's columnar basalt formations. The effect of the regular geometric shapes is as fascinating as it is unsettling, so that even in the 19th century, scientists were still debating whether they were artificial or natural. Since its discovery by Joseph Banks in 1772 (meaning the first mention by a scholar), it quickly established itself as an early tourist destination, attracting countless visitors over the years and becoming an inspiration for works of music, art and literature. Geology - 10 original washed pen and ink drawings, partly heightened with white, and 1 etching. Each mounted on blue sugar paper. Loosely contained in cont. grey paper wrappers with mounted engraved view of the Isle of Staffa (wrappers slightly dust-soiled, with restored tear and somewhat unevenly trimmed). - A fascinating and early suite of drawings of the remarkable geological structures of the Isle of Staffa by two English visitors. Margaret Compton, neé Maclean Clephane (c. 1795-1830), was a gifted poet and an accomplished musician and artist, and a favourite of Sir Walter Scott (who was her godfather and guardian). In 1815 she married Spencer Joshua Alwyne Compton (1790-1815). One of the drawings is dated in manuscript 1813, the unsigned etching with manuscript annotation Staffa, (?) by L. Comp.(ton) on mount, another mount with manuscript annotation Copied from a drawing of Lady Compton. It is known that Sir Walter Scott visited the Isle of Staffa in 1810 and her husband visited the island in 1813. This suite of drawings is an evidence for quite an early interest in the geological oddity of these columnar basalt formations of the island that are meticulously depicted on the drawings. The effect of the regular geometric shapes are both intriguing and disconcerting, so much so that as late as the 19th century scholarly discussions were still taking place as to whether the site was artificial or natural. Since it's 'discovery' by Joseph Banks in 1772, (by which is meant the first mention of it by a gentleman scholar), it quickly became established as an early tourist destination and has drawn innumerable visitors over the years. In turn it has become an inspiration for works of music, art and literature. This work is subject to regular taxation. A premium of 23.95% will be added to the hammer price and, for buyers within the European Union only, VAT of 7% (books) or 19% (art, autographs and manuscripts) will be added to the final invoice amount.