First Edition of P H Emerson's penultimate photographic work. This is the First Trade Edition which was published the same year as the limited edition and by the same publisher, David Nutt. It is uncommon in this trade edition. The original pictorial boards are present, depicting a broadland scene complete with Emerson's wherry, ducks and a long sunset vista, quite extensively rubbed and with spine lean. Floral endpapers with a Foyle’s bookshop stamp to the front pastedown. Illustrated by Emerson and described as 'Eighteen views from Photographs taken by the Author'.
On English Lagoons was written as an account of a year-long voyage on the Broads in 1890 by 'two amateur wherrymen', (Emerson and his servant Jim) aboard Emerson's own wherry, 'The Maid of the Mist' which is pictured in the autobiographical section of his genealogical study, The English Emersons. The book takes the form of a diary and reveals Emerson's deep knowledge and love of the Broads. The action shifts from Hickling Broad, via Acle to Yarmouth and onto Breydon Water, up the Yare to Brundall and Bramerton Woods End, Rockland Marshes and then into Norwich; again down the Yare via Cantley 'As I stood admiring just before sunrise, the reed-tops bending under their beautiful crystal heads, rooks came flying from a wood near by, and a vast flock of peewits darkened the sky. As the yellow sun arose in frosty splendour mists began to rise on the river, and there followed a brief spell of magic beauty ere the thickening mists began to bury everything as they blew in fitful gusts from the river.' The wherry continues via Beccles and then along the Waveney to Geldeston Lock and on to Bungay before returning to the Bure, Oulton Broad, Buxton, Ranworth and Horsey and back to Somerton Broad. Although known as a great photographer Emerson's book is also one of the great lyrical portraits of the waterland of the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads.
