[433]This third symptom has not escaped the discerning eye of the Manchester physician; for thus sings Dr. Ferriar:He pastes, from injur'd volumes snipt away,HisEnglish Headsin chronicled array,Torn from their destin'd page (unworthy meedOf Knightly counsel, and heroic deed),NotFaithorne'sstroke, norField'sown types can saveThe gallant Veres, and one-eyed Ogle brave.Indignant readers seek the image fled,And curse the busy fool whowants a head.Proudly he shews, with many a smile elate,The scrambling subjects of theprivate plateWhile Time their actions and their names bereaves,They grin for ever in the guarded leaves.The Bibliomania; v. 119-130.These are happy thoughts, happily expressed. In illustration of v. 123, the author observes,—"three fine heads, for the sake of which, the beautiful and interesting commentaries of Sir Francis Vere have been mutilated by collectors of English portraits." Dr. Ferriar might have added that, when a Grangerian bibliomaniac commences hisillustrating career, he does not fail to make a desperate onset uponSpeed,Boissard, and theHeroologia. Even the lovely prints ofHoubraken(in Dr. Birch's account of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain) escape not the ravages of his passion for illustration. The plates which adorn these books are considered among the foundation materials of a Grangerian building. But it is time, according to my plan, to introduce other sarcastic strains of poetry.THIRD MAXIM.Who, swearing not a line to miss,Doats on the leaf his fingers kiss,Thanking thewordsfor all his bliss,—Shall rue, at last, his passion frustrate:Welove the page that draws its flavourFrom Draftsman, Etcher, and EngraverAnd hint the booby (by his favour)Hisgloomy copy to "Illustrate."Bibliosophia; p. v.At this stage of our inquiries, let me submit a new remedy as an acquisition to theMateria Medica, of which many first-rate physicians may not be aware—by proposing aRecipe for Illustration.Take any passage from any author—to wit: the following (which I have done, quite at random) fromSpeed: 'Henry le Spenser, the warlikeBishop of Norwich, being drawn on byPope Vrbanto preachthe Crusade, and to be General againstClement(whom sundryCardinalsand greatPrelateshad also elected Pope) having a fifteenth granted to him, for that purpose, byparliament,' &c.Historie of Great Britaine, p. 721, edit. 1632. Now, let the reader observe, here areonly fourlines; but which, to beproperly illustrated, should be treated thus: 1st, procure all the portraits, at all periods of his life, ofHenry le Spencer; 2dly, obtain every view, ancient and modern, like or unlike, of the city ofNorwich; and, if fortune favour you, ofevery Bishop of the same see; 3dly, every portrait ofPope Vrbanmust be procured; and as many prints and drawings as can give some notion ofthe Crusade—together with a few etchings (if there be any) ofPeter the HermitandRichard I., who took such active parts in the Crusade; 4thly, you must search high and low, early and late, for every print ofClement; 5thly, procure, or you will be wretched, as many fine prints ofCardinalsandPrelates, singly or in groups, as will impress you with a proper idea ofthe Conclave; and 6thly, see whether you may not obtain, at some of our most distinguished old-print sellers, views of thehouse of Parliamentat the period (A.D. 1383.) here described!!! The result, gentle reader, will be this: you will have work enough cut out to occupy you for one whole month at least, from rise to set of sun—in parading the streets of our metropolis: nor will the expense incoachhire, orshoe leather, be the least which you will have to encounter! The prints themselves may costsomething! Lest any fastidious and cynical critic should accuse me, and with apparent justice, of gross exaggeration or ignorance in thisrecipe, I will inform him, on good authority, that a late distinguished and highly respectable female collector, who had commenced anillustrated bible, procured not fewer thanseven hundred printsfor the illustration of the 20th, 21st, 22d, 23d, 24th, and 25th verses of the 1st chapter of Genesis! The illustrated copy of Mr. Fox's Historical work, mentioned in the first edition of this work, p. 63, is now in the possession of Lord Mountjoy. The similar copy of Walter Scott's edition of Dryden's works, which has upwards of 650 portraits, is yet in the possession of Mr. Miller, the bookseller.
[433]This third symptom has not escaped the discerning eye of the Manchester physician; for thus sings Dr. Ferriar:
These are happy thoughts, happily expressed. In illustration of v. 123, the author observes,—"three fine heads, for the sake of which, the beautiful and interesting commentaries of Sir Francis Vere have been mutilated by collectors of English portraits." Dr. Ferriar might have added that, when a Grangerian bibliomaniac commences hisillustrating career, he does not fail to make a desperate onset uponSpeed,Boissard, and theHeroologia. Even the lovely prints ofHoubraken(in Dr. Birch's account of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain) escape not the ravages of his passion for illustration. The plates which adorn these books are considered among the foundation materials of a Grangerian building. But it is time, according to my plan, to introduce other sarcastic strains of poetry.
THIRD MAXIM.
At this stage of our inquiries, let me submit a new remedy as an acquisition to theMateria Medica, of which many first-rate physicians may not be aware—by proposing a
Recipe for Illustration.
Take any passage from any author—to wit: the following (which I have done, quite at random) fromSpeed: 'Henry le Spenser, the warlikeBishop of Norwich, being drawn on byPope Vrbanto preachthe Crusade, and to be General againstClement(whom sundryCardinalsand greatPrelateshad also elected Pope) having a fifteenth granted to him, for that purpose, byparliament,' &c.Historie of Great Britaine, p. 721, edit. 1632. Now, let the reader observe, here areonly fourlines; but which, to beproperly illustrated, should be treated thus: 1st, procure all the portraits, at all periods of his life, ofHenry le Spencer; 2dly, obtain every view, ancient and modern, like or unlike, of the city ofNorwich; and, if fortune favour you, ofevery Bishop of the same see; 3dly, every portrait ofPope Vrbanmust be procured; and as many prints and drawings as can give some notion ofthe Crusade—together with a few etchings (if there be any) ofPeter the HermitandRichard I., who took such active parts in the Crusade; 4thly, you must search high and low, early and late, for every print ofClement; 5thly, procure, or you will be wretched, as many fine prints ofCardinalsandPrelates, singly or in groups, as will impress you with a proper idea ofthe Conclave; and 6thly, see whether you may not obtain, at some of our most distinguished old-print sellers, views of thehouse of Parliamentat the period (A.D. 1383.) here described!!! The result, gentle reader, will be this: you will have work enough cut out to occupy you for one whole month at least, from rise to set of sun—in parading the streets of our metropolis: nor will the expense incoachhire, orshoe leather, be the least which you will have to encounter! The prints themselves may costsomething! Lest any fastidious and cynical critic should accuse me, and with apparent justice, of gross exaggeration or ignorance in thisrecipe, I will inform him, on good authority, that a late distinguished and highly respectable female collector, who had commenced anillustrated bible, procured not fewer thanseven hundred printsfor the illustration of the 20th, 21st, 22d, 23d, 24th, and 25th verses of the 1st chapter of Genesis! The illustrated copy of Mr. Fox's Historical work, mentioned in the first edition of this work, p. 63, is now in the possession of Lord Mountjoy. The similar copy of Walter Scott's edition of Dryden's works, which has upwards of 650 portraits, is yet in the possession of Mr. Miller, the bookseller.
Granger's work seems to have sounded the tocsin for a general rummage after, and plunder of, old prints. Venerable philosophers, and veteran heroes, who had long reposed in unmolested dignity within the magnificent folio volumes which recorded their achievements, were instantly dragged forth from their peaceful abodes, to be inlaid by the side of some clumsy modern engraving, within anIllustrated Granger!
Nor did the madness stop here. Illustration was the order of the day; andShakspeare[434]andClarendonbecame the next objects of its attack. From these it has glanced off, in a variety of directions, to adorn the pages of humbler wights; and the passion, or rather this symptom of the Bibliomania, yet rages with undiminished force. If judiciously treated, it is, of all the symptoms, the least liable to mischief. To possess a series of well-executed portraits of illustrious men, at different periods of their lives, from blooming boyhood to phlegmatic old age, is sufficiently amusing; but to possesseveryportrait,bad,indifferent, andunlike, betrays such a dangerous and alarming symptom as to render the case almost incurable!
[434]Lysander would not have run on in this declamatory strain, if it had beenhisgood fortune, as it has beenmine, to witness the extraordinary copy of anillustrated Shakspearein the possession of Earl Spencer; which owes its magic to the perseverance and taste of the Dowager Lady Lucan, mother to the present Countess Spencer. For sixteen years did this accomplished Lady pursue the pleasurable toil of illustration; having commenced it in her 50th, and finished it in her 66th year. Whatever of taste, beauty, and judgment in decoration—by means of portraits, landscapes, houses, and tombs—flowers, birds, insects, heraldic ornaments, and devices,—could dress our immortal bard in a yet more fascinating form, has been accomplished by the noble hand which undertook so Herculean a task—and with a truth, delicacy, and finish of execution, which have been rarely equalled! These magnificent volumes (being the folio edition printed by Bulmer) are at once beautiful and secured by green velvet binding, with embossed clasps and corners of solid silver, washed with gold. Each volume is preserved in a silken cover—and the whole is kept inviolate from the impurities of bibliomaniacal miasmata, in a sarcophagus-shaped piece of furniture of cedar and mahogany. What is the pleasure experienced by the most resolute antiquary, when he has obtained a peep at the inmost sarcophagus of the largest pyramid of Egypt, compared with that which a tasteful bibliomaniac enjoys upon contemplating this illustrated Shakespeare, now reposing in all the classical magnificence and congenial retirement of its possessor?—But why do I surpass Lysander in the warmth and vehemence of narration! And yet, let me not forget that the same noble owner hasanotherillustrated copy of thesame bard, on a smaller scale, of which mention has already been made in my account of the donor of it, the late George Steevens. Turn, gentle reader, for one moment, topage 428, ante. The illustratedClarendon, above hinted at by Lysander, is in the possession of Mr. H.A. Sutherland; and is, perhaps, a matchless copy of the author: every siege, battle, town, and house-view—as well as portrait—being introduced within the leaves. I will not even hazard a conjecture for how manythousand poundsits owner might dispose of it, if the inclination of parting with it should ever possess him. The British Museum has recently been enriched with a similar copy ofPennant'sLondon, on large paper. Prints and drawings of all descriptions, which could throw light upon the antiquities of our metropolis, are inserted in this extraordinary copy, which belonged to the late Mr. Crowles; who expended 2000l.upon the same, and who bequeathed it, in the true spirit ofvirtû, to the Museum. LetCracherodeandCrowlesbe held in respectful remembrance!
[434]Lysander would not have run on in this declamatory strain, if it had beenhisgood fortune, as it has beenmine, to witness the extraordinary copy of anillustrated Shakspearein the possession of Earl Spencer; which owes its magic to the perseverance and taste of the Dowager Lady Lucan, mother to the present Countess Spencer. For sixteen years did this accomplished Lady pursue the pleasurable toil of illustration; having commenced it in her 50th, and finished it in her 66th year. Whatever of taste, beauty, and judgment in decoration—by means of portraits, landscapes, houses, and tombs—flowers, birds, insects, heraldic ornaments, and devices,—could dress our immortal bard in a yet more fascinating form, has been accomplished by the noble hand which undertook so Herculean a task—and with a truth, delicacy, and finish of execution, which have been rarely equalled! These magnificent volumes (being the folio edition printed by Bulmer) are at once beautiful and secured by green velvet binding, with embossed clasps and corners of solid silver, washed with gold. Each volume is preserved in a silken cover—and the whole is kept inviolate from the impurities of bibliomaniacal miasmata, in a sarcophagus-shaped piece of furniture of cedar and mahogany. What is the pleasure experienced by the most resolute antiquary, when he has obtained a peep at the inmost sarcophagus of the largest pyramid of Egypt, compared with that which a tasteful bibliomaniac enjoys upon contemplating this illustrated Shakespeare, now reposing in all the classical magnificence and congenial retirement of its possessor?—But why do I surpass Lysander in the warmth and vehemence of narration! And yet, let me not forget that the same noble owner hasanotherillustrated copy of thesame bard, on a smaller scale, of which mention has already been made in my account of the donor of it, the late George Steevens. Turn, gentle reader, for one moment, topage 428, ante. The illustratedClarendon, above hinted at by Lysander, is in the possession of Mr. H.A. Sutherland; and is, perhaps, a matchless copy of the author: every siege, battle, town, and house-view—as well as portrait—being introduced within the leaves. I will not even hazard a conjecture for how manythousand poundsits owner might dispose of it, if the inclination of parting with it should ever possess him. The British Museum has recently been enriched with a similar copy ofPennant'sLondon, on large paper. Prints and drawings of all descriptions, which could throw light upon the antiquities of our metropolis, are inserted in this extraordinary copy, which belonged to the late Mr. Crowles; who expended 2000l.upon the same, and who bequeathed it, in the true spirit ofvirtû, to the Museum. LetCracherodeandCrowlesbe held in respectful remembrance!
There is another mode ofillustrating copiesby which this symptom of the Bibliomania may be known; it consists in bringing together, from different works, [including newspapers and magazines, and by means of the scissars, or otherwise by transcription] every page or paragraph which has any connexion with the character or subject under discussion. This is a useful[435]and entertaining mode of illustrating a favourite author; and copies of works of this nature, when executed by skilful hands, should be deposited in public libraries; as many a biographical anecdote of eminent literary characters is preserved in consequence. I almost ridiculed the idea of anIllustrated Chatterton, 'till the sight of your friendBernardo'scopy, in eighteen volumes, made me a convert to the utility that may be derived from a judicious treatment of this symptom of the Bibliomania: and indeed, of a rainy day, the same bibliomaniac's similar copy ofWalton's Complete Angleraffords abundant amusement in the perusal.
[435]Numerous are the instances of the peculiar use and value of copies of this kind; especially to those who are engaged in publications of a similar nature.Oldys'sinterleaved Langbaine(of Mr. Reed's transcript of which a copy is in the possession of Mr. Heber) is re-echoed in almost every recent work connected with the belles-lettres of our country. Oldys himself was unrivalled in this method of illustration; if, exclusively of Langbaine, his copy ofFuller's Worthies[once Mr. Steevens', now Mr. Malone's. SeeBibl. Steevens, no. 1799] be alone considered! This Oldys was the oddest mortal that ever wrote. Grose, in hisOlio, gives an amusing account of his having "a number of small parchment bags inscribed with the names of the persons whose lives he intended to write; into which he put every circumstance and anecdote he could collect, and from thence drew up his history." See Noble'sCollege of Arms, p. 420. Thus far the first edition of this work; p. 64. It remains to add that, whatever were the singularities and capriciousness of Oldys, his talents were far beyond mediocrity; as his publication of theHarleian Miscellany, andRaleigh's History of the World, abundantly prove. To the latter, a life of Raleigh is prefixed; and the number of pithy, pleasant, and profitable notes subjoined shew that Oldys's bibliographical talents were not eclipsed by those of any contemporary. HisBritish Librarianhas been more than once noticed in the preceding pages: vide p.51,468. There is a portrait of him, in a full-dressed suit and bag-wig, in one of the numbers of the European Magazine; which has the complete air of a fine gentleman. Let me just observe, in elucidation of what Lysander above means by this latter mode of illustrating copies, that in the Bodleian library there is a copy ofKuster's edition of Suidasfilled, from beginning to end, with MS. notes and excerpts of various kinds, by the famous D'Orville, tending to illustrate the ancient lexicographer.
[435]Numerous are the instances of the peculiar use and value of copies of this kind; especially to those who are engaged in publications of a similar nature.Oldys'sinterleaved Langbaine(of Mr. Reed's transcript of which a copy is in the possession of Mr. Heber) is re-echoed in almost every recent work connected with the belles-lettres of our country. Oldys himself was unrivalled in this method of illustration; if, exclusively of Langbaine, his copy ofFuller's Worthies[once Mr. Steevens', now Mr. Malone's. SeeBibl. Steevens, no. 1799] be alone considered! This Oldys was the oddest mortal that ever wrote. Grose, in hisOlio, gives an amusing account of his having "a number of small parchment bags inscribed with the names of the persons whose lives he intended to write; into which he put every circumstance and anecdote he could collect, and from thence drew up his history." See Noble'sCollege of Arms, p. 420. Thus far the first edition of this work; p. 64. It remains to add that, whatever were the singularities and capriciousness of Oldys, his talents were far beyond mediocrity; as his publication of theHarleian Miscellany, andRaleigh's History of the World, abundantly prove. To the latter, a life of Raleigh is prefixed; and the number of pithy, pleasant, and profitable notes subjoined shew that Oldys's bibliographical talents were not eclipsed by those of any contemporary. HisBritish Librarianhas been more than once noticed in the preceding pages: vide p.51,468. There is a portrait of him, in a full-dressed suit and bag-wig, in one of the numbers of the European Magazine; which has the complete air of a fine gentleman. Let me just observe, in elucidation of what Lysander above means by this latter mode of illustrating copies, that in the Bodleian library there is a copy ofKuster's edition of Suidasfilled, from beginning to end, with MS. notes and excerpts of various kinds, by the famous D'Orville, tending to illustrate the ancient lexicographer.
Lis.Forgive me, if I digress a little. But is not the knowledge ofrare,curious, andbeautiful Prints—so necessary, it would seem, towards the perfecting ofillustrated copies—is not this knowledge of long and difficult attainment?
Lysand.Unquestionably, this knowledge is very requisite towards becoming a complete pupil in theschool of Granger.[436]Nor is it, as you very properly suppose, of short or easy acquirement.
[436]Granger'sBiographical History of Englandwas first published, I believe, in 1769, 4to., 2 vols. It has since undergone four impressions; the last being in 1804, 8vo., 4 vols.A Continuation of the same, by the Rev.Mark Noble, was published in 1807, 8vo., 3 vols.: so that if the lover of rare and curious prints get possession of these volumes, withAmes'sCatalogue of English Heads, 1748, 8vo.; andWalpole'sCatalogue of Engravers, 1775, 8vo.;Bromley'sCatalogue of Engraved Portraits, 1793, 4to.; together with Catalogues of English Portraits, being the collections of Mr.Barnard, SirW. Musgrave, Mr.Tyssen, SirJames-Winter Lake; and many other similar catalogues put forth by Mr.Richardsonand Mr.Grave; he may be said to be in a fair way to become master of the whole arcana ofPrint-collecting. But let him take heed to the severe warning-voice uttered byRowe Mores, in his criticism upon the Catalogue of English Heads, published by Ames: 'This performance (says the splenetic and too prophetic critic) is not to be despised: judiciously executed, a work of this sort would be an appendage entertaining and useful to the readers of English biography; and it ought to be done at the common labour, expense, and charges of theseIconoclasts—because their depredations are a grand impediment to another who should attempt it: and if thisgoûtfor prints and thieving continues, let private owners and public libraries look well to their books, for there will not remain a valuable book ungarbled by their connoisseuring villany: for neither honesty nor oaths restrain them. Yet thesefanciers, if prints themselves are to be collected, instead of being injurious to every body, might make themselves serviceable to posterity, and become a kind ofmedalists(who, by the bye, are almost as great thieves as themselves, though the hurt they do is not so extensive, as it lies chiefly among themselves, who all hold this doctrine, that "exchange is no robbery;" but, if they could filch without exchanging, no scruple of conscience would prevent them): we say they might render themselves useful to posterity, by gathering together the historical, political, satyrical, anecdotal and temporal pieces, with which the age abounds; adding an explanation of the intent and meaning for the instruction and amusement of times to come. The misfortune is, they must buy the one, but they can steal the other; and steal they will, although watched with the eyes of Argus: unless the valuables, like some otherjocalia, are shewn to them through a grate; and eventhen, the keeper must be vigilant!'Of English Founders and Foundries; p. 85. This extract is curious on account of the tart, but just, sentiments which prevail in it; but, to the bibliomaniac, it is doubly curious, when he is informed thatonly eighty copiesof this Typographical Treatise (of 100 pages—including the Appendix) were printed. The author was a testy, but sagacious, bibliomaniac, and should have been introduced among his brethren inPart V. It is not, however, too late to subjoin the following:Bibliotheca Moresiana. A Catalogue of the Large and Valuable Library of Printed Books, rare old tracts, Manuscripts, Prints, and Drawings, Copper Plates, sundry Antiquities, Philosophical Instruments, and other Curiosities, of that eminent British Antiquary, the late Rev. and learnedEdward Rowe Mores, F.A.S., deceased, &c. Sold by auction by Mr. Patterson, August 1779. This collection exhibited, like its owner, a strange mixture of what was curious, whimsical, and ingenious in human nature. There were 2838 lots of printed books.The rare old black-letter books and tracts, begin at p. 52.
[436]Granger'sBiographical History of Englandwas first published, I believe, in 1769, 4to., 2 vols. It has since undergone four impressions; the last being in 1804, 8vo., 4 vols.A Continuation of the same, by the Rev.Mark Noble, was published in 1807, 8vo., 3 vols.: so that if the lover of rare and curious prints get possession of these volumes, withAmes'sCatalogue of English Heads, 1748, 8vo.; andWalpole'sCatalogue of Engravers, 1775, 8vo.;Bromley'sCatalogue of Engraved Portraits, 1793, 4to.; together with Catalogues of English Portraits, being the collections of Mr.Barnard, SirW. Musgrave, Mr.Tyssen, SirJames-Winter Lake; and many other similar catalogues put forth by Mr.Richardsonand Mr.Grave; he may be said to be in a fair way to become master of the whole arcana ofPrint-collecting. But let him take heed to the severe warning-voice uttered byRowe Mores, in his criticism upon the Catalogue of English Heads, published by Ames: 'This performance (says the splenetic and too prophetic critic) is not to be despised: judiciously executed, a work of this sort would be an appendage entertaining and useful to the readers of English biography; and it ought to be done at the common labour, expense, and charges of theseIconoclasts—because their depredations are a grand impediment to another who should attempt it: and if thisgoûtfor prints and thieving continues, let private owners and public libraries look well to their books, for there will not remain a valuable book ungarbled by their connoisseuring villany: for neither honesty nor oaths restrain them. Yet thesefanciers, if prints themselves are to be collected, instead of being injurious to every body, might make themselves serviceable to posterity, and become a kind ofmedalists(who, by the bye, are almost as great thieves as themselves, though the hurt they do is not so extensive, as it lies chiefly among themselves, who all hold this doctrine, that "exchange is no robbery;" but, if they could filch without exchanging, no scruple of conscience would prevent them): we say they might render themselves useful to posterity, by gathering together the historical, political, satyrical, anecdotal and temporal pieces, with which the age abounds; adding an explanation of the intent and meaning for the instruction and amusement of times to come. The misfortune is, they must buy the one, but they can steal the other; and steal they will, although watched with the eyes of Argus: unless the valuables, like some otherjocalia, are shewn to them through a grate; and eventhen, the keeper must be vigilant!'Of English Founders and Foundries; p. 85. This extract is curious on account of the tart, but just, sentiments which prevail in it; but, to the bibliomaniac, it is doubly curious, when he is informed thatonly eighty copiesof this Typographical Treatise (of 100 pages—including the Appendix) were printed. The author was a testy, but sagacious, bibliomaniac, and should have been introduced among his brethren inPart V. It is not, however, too late to subjoin the following:Bibliotheca Moresiana. A Catalogue of the Large and Valuable Library of Printed Books, rare old tracts, Manuscripts, Prints, and Drawings, Copper Plates, sundry Antiquities, Philosophical Instruments, and other Curiosities, of that eminent British Antiquary, the late Rev. and learnedEdward Rowe Mores, F.A.S., deceased, &c. Sold by auction by Mr. Patterson, August 1779. This collection exhibited, like its owner, a strange mixture of what was curious, whimsical, and ingenious in human nature. There were 2838 lots of printed books.The rare old black-letter books and tracts, begin at p. 52.
Alman.How so? A very little care, with a tolerably good taste, is only required to know when a print iswell engraved.
Lysand.Alas, Madam! the excellence of engraving is oftentimes but asecondaryconsideration!
Belin.Do pray explain.
Lysand.I will, and as briefly and perspicuously as possible.
There are, first,all the varieties of the same print[437]tobe considered!—whether it have thename of the character, orartist, omitted or subjoined: whether the head of the print be without the body, or the body without thehead—and whether this latter be finished, or in the outline, or ghostly white! Then you must go tothe dressof this supposed portrait:—whether full or plain; courtor country-fashioned: whether it have a hat, or no hat; feather, or no feather; gloves, or no gloves; sword, or no sword; and many other such momentous points.
[437]The reader, by means of the preceding note, having been put in possession of some of the principal works from which information, relating toPrint-Collectingmay be successfully gleaned, it remains for me—who have been described as sitting in a corner to compile notes for Lysander's text-discourse—to add something by way of illustration to the above sweeping satire. One or the other of the points touched upon in the text will be found here more particularly elucidated.Catalogue of Barnard's Prints; 1798, 8vo.7th Day's Sale.NO.£s.d.47.Sir Thos. Isham de Lamport, by Loggan and Valck;before the names of the artists, very fine.55068.King Charles I. on horseback, with the page, by Lombard;very fine and scarce.114069.The same plate;with Cromwell's head substituted for the King's—variation in the drapery.36070.The same: a curious proof—the face blank and no inscription at bottom—drapery of the page different—and other variations.12090.Catharine, queen of K. Charles II.;in the dress in which she arrived: very scarce. By Faithorne.416097.Queen Elizabeth; habited in the superb court dress in which she went to St. Paul's to return thanks for the defeat of the Spanish Armada—by Passe; from a painting of Isaac Oliver.6126[I have known from 14l.to 20l.given for a fine impression of this curious print: but I am as well pleased with Mr. Turner's recently published, and admirably executed, facsimile mezzotint engraving of it; a proof of which costs 1l.1s.Every member of the two Houses—and every land and sea Captain—ought to hang up this print in his sitting-room.]Eighth day's Sale.6.Esther before Ahasuerus: engraved by Hollar;first impression; with the portraits at top; curious and extremely rare.1600199.Jo. Banfi Hunniades;proof; very fine and rare. By the same.270200.The same print,with variations. By the same.3150202.The Stone-eater;with his history below. By the same.Very rare.440248.Sir Thomas Chaloner; by the same.A proof impression. One of the scarcest prints in existence.59170[A similar print has been since sold for 74l.; which is in the collection of Mr. John Townley; whoseHollarsare unrivalled!]256.Herbert, Earl of Pembroke;before the alteration. By the same.2100257.Devereux, Earl of Essex;on horseback. By the same.450258.Devereux, Earl of Essex:standing on foot; whole length. By the same.440259.Algernon, Earl of Northumberland;on horseback. By the same.1400266.Lady Elizabeth Shirley;an unfinished proof, the chaplet round her head being only traced; curious and extremely rare. By the same.10100267.A reverse of the proof; very fine. By the same.550Catalogue of Sir William Musgrave's Prints.Third Day's Sale.29.George, Earl of Berkeley; oval,in his robes, 1679;extrafieand rare.105045.George, Duke of Buckingham; oval;cloak over his left arm, hand on sword, nine lines expressive of his titles, &c.Sold by P. Stent:fine and extra rare.4120109.George, Earl of Cumberland;whole length, dressed for a tournament. By R. White.1100Fifth Day's Sale.94.The Newcastle Family, in a room, after Diepenbeke, by Clowet;a beautiful proof, before the verses, extra rare.39180[There is a very indifferent copy of this print. The original may be seen in the collection of the Marquis of Stafford and Sir M.M. Sykes, Bart. Nothing can exceed the tenderness and delicacy of Clowet's engraving of this naturally conceived and well-managed picture.]Tenth Day's Sale.82.Richard Smith; virtuoso and literary character. By W. Sherwin;extra rare and fine. [See my account of this distinguished bibliomaniac atp. 302, ante. Sir M.M. Sykes is in possession of Sir William Musgrave's copy of the portrait.]7170Eleventh Day's Sale.30.Sir Francis Willoughby;with a view of Wollaton Hall; mezzotint by T. Man,extra rare.132643.Sir Francis Wortley; 1652, folio: with trophies, books, &c., by A. Hertochs: extra rare and fine.29100Eighteenth Day's Sale.78.Dr. Francis Bernard;a touched proof;very rare. [The reader may recollect this sagacious bibliomaniac, as noticed atpage 316, ante.]4146Twentieth Day's Sale.85.Sir Matthew Lister; M.D. 1646; by P. Van Somer;fine proof, extra rare.1414086.Humphrey Lloyd, of Denbigh, Antiquary, ætat. 34, 1651. By Faber, 1717,extra rare and fine.470Twenty-first Day's Sale.9.Sir John Marsham; ætat. 80. By R. White,extra rare and fine.66019.Martin Master; ætat. 53. 1607. By R. Gaywood,extrarareandfine.880Twenty-seventh Day's Sale.80.Lady Paston, wife of Sir William Paston, by W. Faithorne;extra rare and fine.310082.Mary, Countess of Pembroke, by Simon Passe, 1618.Fine and rare.100083.Penelope, Countess of Pembroke, in an oval, by W. Hollar.Rare.36084.Anne Clifford, Countess of Pembroke, by R. White:extrarareandfine.7176[The prints at this sale—the catalogue containing 323 pages—were sold for 4987l.17s.]Miscellaneous Catalogues of Prints.First Day's Sale.58.Richard Cromwell, Lord Protector, in a square. "This portrait was etched by Hollar, but he was afraid to put his name to it; and the plate was destroyed as soon as Richard resigned his pretensions to the Protectorship." Note by Mr. Hillier.Very rare.110061.Lord Digby, in armour; after Vander Borcht.Extrarareandfine.99064.Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex,standing, whole length: army in the distance, 1644,fine and rare.55065.The same, on horseback: under the horse a map of England; 1643:first state of the plate; extra fine and rare.90073.Hollar's own portrait, in an oval, ætat. 40, 1647:with variations in the arms.330Sixth Day's Sale.53.Sir William Paston, 1659: esteemed Faithorne's finest portrait:extra rare.1015056.Carew Reynell, from the Fothergill collection:extrafineandrare.165662.Prince Rupert, in armour,right hand on the breast: after Vandyck. Sold by Robert Peake.Extrafineandrare.900Thirteenth Day's Sale.54.King and Queen of Bohemia, and five children, by Wm. Passe, with thirty-two Englishes [qu?]; 1621:extra fine and rare, The same plate;with the addition of five children; the youngest in a cradle.411055.The same, sitting under a tree; with four children; the youngest playing with a rabbit: fineandrare.66092.James, Duke of York:with the anchor, proof; very fine and rare. (16th day's sale.)52672.Sir Francis Winderbank and Lord Finch;with Finch's wings flying to Winderbank; extra rare. (19th day.)2500A Catalogue of a genuine and valuable Collection of English and Foreign Portraits, &c., sold by Auction by Mr. Richardson, February18, 1798.1st day's sale.34.Princess Augusta Maria, daughter of Charles I.in hat and feather, ætat. 15, 1646: by Henry Danckers, 1640.Fine and rare.33057.Anne, Queen of James I. with her daughter Anne;curiously dressed, whole length. By J. Visscher:extrafineandrare.60041.Mary, Queen of Scotts: "Scotorumque nunc Regina"—in an oval: cap adorned with jewels, feather-fan in her hand, &c. By Peter Mynginus:extrafineandrare.612053.Prince Frederick, Count Palatine, with Princess Elizabeth,whole length, superbly dressed: By R. Elstracke:extrafineandrare.140074.Henry the Eighth,with hat and feather, large fur tippet: by C. M(atsis);veryfine,and supposed unique.1010079.Mary, Queen of Scots:veil'd cross at her breast: ætat.44, 1583:extrafineandrare.92680.Queen Elizabeth;superbly dressed, between two pillars: extrafineandrare.15150A Catalogue of a valuable and genuine Collection of Prints, Drawings, and elegantly illustrated Books, &c., sold by auction by Mr. Richardson; March, 1800.143.Henry, Lord Darnley, by Passe; fineand veryrare.1600186.Sir Philip Sidney, by Elstracke;extremelyfine.310263.Thomas Howard, Earl of Suffolk, by ditto,extrafineandrare.1300264.Edward Somerset, Earl of Worcester, by Simon Passe: rareandfine.7150265.Henry Vere, Earl of Oxford, sold by Compton Holland;veryrareandfine.900273.Henry Wriothesly, Earl of Southampton, by Simon Passe;most brilliant impression, extra rare.1350278.Thomas Howard, Earl of Arundel, by the same;rare and very fine.500279.Richard Sackville, Earl of Dorset, by the same;extra fine and rare—(with a copy by Thane).300280.John Digby, Earl of Bristol; rare and fine: from the Fothergill Collection.1300281.Robert Sidney, Viscount Lisle, by Simon Passe;rare and very fine.526284.Edmund, Baron Sheffield: by Elstracke;very fine.14100286.James, Lord Hay, by Simon Passe;brilliant impression, fineandrare.900294.George Mountaine, Bishop of London; G.Y. sculpsit;very fine and rare.5100330.Sir Julius Cæsar, by Elstracke;extrafineandrare.23126335.Arthurus Severus Nonesuch O'Toole, by Delaram;most brilliant impression, and very rare(with the copy).11110367.Sir John Wynn de Gwedir, by Vaughan;very rare.660472.Prince Frederic Henry, by Delaram:veryfineandrare.576479.Prince Rupert, by Faithorne;veryfineandrare.750567.Sir John Hotham, Governor of Hull;whole length; extremelyrareandfine.4310812.Edward Mascall, by Gammon.730946.Edward Wetenhall, Bishop of Corke and Ross; mezzotint, by Becket;fine.500960.Andrew Lortie, by Van Somer.1350979.Thomas Cole, large mezzotint.4100997.Sir William Portman, mezzotint.71001001.Anthony, Earl of Shaftesbury, by Blooteling;exceedingfineimpression.6001013.Sir Patrick Lyon, of Carse, by White.5501033.Sir Greville Verney, by Loggan.51001045.Marmaduke Rawdon, by White; fine.14001048.Slingsby Bethel,whole length, by W. Sherwin (with small copy).17501054.Samuel Malines, by Lombart; very fine.12001057.Thomas Killegrew,as sitting with the dog: by Faithorne.1600A Catalogue of a very choice assemblage ofEnglish Portraits, and of Foreigners who have visited England: serving to illustrateGranger's Biographical History; the property of an eminent Collector, &c., Sold by auction, by Messrs. King and Lochée, April, 1810.But it is time to pause. The present note may have completely served to shew, not only that Lysander was right in drawing such bold conclusions respecting the consequences resulting from the publication of Granger's Biographical History, and the capriciousness of print-fanciers respecting impressionsin their various stages, and withall their varieties,—but, that the pursuit ofprint-collectingis both costly and endless. For one 'fine and rare'print, by Hollar, Faithorne, Elstracke, the Passes, Delaram, or White, how many truly precious and usefulvolumesmay be collected? "All this is vastly fine reasoning"—methinks I hear a Grangerite exclaim—"but compare the comfort afforded by your 'precious and useful volumes' with that arising from the contemplation of eminent and extraordinary characters, executed by theburinof some of those graphic heroes before-mentioned—and how despicable will the dry unadorned volume appear!! On a dull, or rainy day, look at an illustrated Shakespeare, or Hume, and then find it in your heart, if you can, to depreciate theGrangerian Passion!!" I answer, the Grangerite is madder than the Bibliomaniac:—and so let the matter rest.
[437]The reader, by means of the preceding note, having been put in possession of some of the principal works from which information, relating toPrint-Collectingmay be successfully gleaned, it remains for me—who have been described as sitting in a corner to compile notes for Lysander's text-discourse—to add something by way of illustration to the above sweeping satire. One or the other of the points touched upon in the text will be found here more particularly elucidated.
Catalogue of Barnard's Prints; 1798, 8vo.
7th Day's Sale.
Eighth day's Sale.
Catalogue of Sir William Musgrave's Prints.
Third Day's Sale.
Fifth Day's Sale.
Tenth Day's Sale.
Eleventh Day's Sale.
Eighteenth Day's Sale.
Twentieth Day's Sale.
Twenty-first Day's Sale.
Twenty-seventh Day's Sale.
Miscellaneous Catalogues of Prints.
First Day's Sale.
Sixth Day's Sale.
Thirteenth Day's Sale.
A Catalogue of a genuine and valuable Collection of English and Foreign Portraits, &c., sold by Auction by Mr. Richardson, February18, 1798.
A Catalogue of a genuine and valuable Collection of English and Foreign Portraits, &c., sold by Auction by Mr. Richardson, February18, 1798.
1st day's sale.
A Catalogue of a valuable and genuine Collection of Prints, Drawings, and elegantly illustrated Books, &c., sold by auction by Mr. Richardson; March, 1800.
A Catalogue of a valuable and genuine Collection of Prints, Drawings, and elegantly illustrated Books, &c., sold by auction by Mr. Richardson; March, 1800.
A Catalogue of a very choice assemblage ofEnglish Portraits, and of Foreigners who have visited England: serving to illustrateGranger's Biographical History; the property of an eminent Collector, &c., Sold by auction, by Messrs. King and Lochée, April, 1810.
A Catalogue of a very choice assemblage ofEnglish Portraits, and of Foreigners who have visited England: serving to illustrateGranger's Biographical History; the property of an eminent Collector, &c., Sold by auction, by Messrs. King and Lochée, April, 1810.
But it is time to pause. The present note may have completely served to shew, not only that Lysander was right in drawing such bold conclusions respecting the consequences resulting from the publication of Granger's Biographical History, and the capriciousness of print-fanciers respecting impressionsin their various stages, and withall their varieties,—but, that the pursuit ofprint-collectingis both costly and endless. For one 'fine and rare'print, by Hollar, Faithorne, Elstracke, the Passes, Delaram, or White, how many truly precious and usefulvolumesmay be collected? "All this is vastly fine reasoning"—methinks I hear a Grangerite exclaim—"but compare the comfort afforded by your 'precious and useful volumes' with that arising from the contemplation of eminent and extraordinary characters, executed by theburinof some of those graphic heroes before-mentioned—and how despicable will the dry unadorned volume appear!! On a dull, or rainy day, look at an illustrated Shakespeare, or Hume, and then find it in your heart, if you can, to depreciate theGrangerian Passion!!" I answer, the Grangerite is madder than the Bibliomaniac:—and so let the matter rest.
Next let us discuss the serious subject of thebackground!—whether it be square or oval; dark or light; put in or put out; stippled or stroked; and sundry othersimilar, but most important, considerations. Again; there are engravings ofdifferent sizes, andat different periods, of the same individual, or object: and of these, the varieties are as infinite as of any of those attached to the vegetable system. I will not attempt even an outline of them. But I had nearly forgotten to warn you, in yourRembrandtPrints, to look sharply afterthe Burr!
Alman.Mercy on us—what is thisBurr?!
Lysand.A slight imperfection only; which, as it rarely occurs, makes the impression more valuable. It is only a sombre tinge attached to the copper, before the plate is sufficiently polished by being worked; and it gives a smeared effect, like smut upon a lady's face, to the impression! But I am becoming satirical. Which is the next symptom that you have written down for me to discourse upon?
Lis.I am quite attentive to this delineation of aPrint Connoisseur; and will not fail to markall theRembrandt[438]varieties, and take heed to theBurr!