Album of Original Drawings and Manuscript Sentiments

Cruikshank, George, et al.

Edité par London, 1828

36 leaves plus numerous blanks. Small 4to. With the ownership signature on the front endsheet of "J. T. Smith, Keeper of Prints British Museum," who is inferentially the party who oversaw the accretion of this collection of inscriptions, drawings and sentiments of visitors to the Print Room several of the inscriptions incorporate mention of such visits. John Taylor Smith (1766 1833), himself a printmaker and draughtsman, was appointed to the post in 1816, and was "an attentive, informed and engaging figure in that role" (DNB). The highlight constituent elements of this album include: a) three pen and ink drawings by George Cruikshank, one signed and dated 22 November 1827, two of Fairy Library subjects; b) an original watercolor, dated 21 June 1824, by W. N. Pyne, of a seaport and wharves; c) a pen and ink drawing of Edward Kean as Othello by Robert Hunt, R.A. (captioned in Smith's hand); d) a pen and ink drawing of a dog's head by William Harvey, signed and dated 30 October 1827; e) an autograph poem by Agnes Strickland, signed and dated 25 April 1828; f) a two page account of his ascent of Mount Blanc signed twice by Charles Fellowes; g) an autograph of Baron William Humboldt, signed and dated 16 June 1828; interspersed with h) a five and a half page entry signed "R. Donne" and dated 1 July 1828, recounting a visit with J.T. Smith, to whom he was introduced by Basil Montagu; within the entry Donne reproduces a two page anecdote he has heard from Lady Montagu, about her visit with Robert Burns when she was a young woman, in which she attests his complete sobriety, and goes on to relate a humorous exchange between she and Burns involving swearing; i) a 2 1/2 page account signed by Jane Webb and dated 30 June 1828, regarding her travels in Hungary, remarking on the "refreshing" ignorance of the people, and closing "there is a town in the interior where if I mistake not there are 800 boot makers & only one bookseller; j) a "Bridal Song Written for the Fairy-Opera of Aladdin, but omitted," signed and dated by George Soane 5 Feb 1828; and k) an 8 line poem ("Envy not the poet's name ."), signed and dated by Robert Montgomery 12 November 1827. In all, a lovely and evocative period piece. Vellum over boards. Endsheets a trifle dusty, bookplates front and rear of esteemed collector John Gribbel (his sale Parke-Bernet, 22 Jan. 1941, lot 161), engraved label of Byfield & Son, Booksellers & Stationers, on pastedown, otherwise very good. Housed in a half red morocco box and folding chemise 36 leaves plus numerous blanks. Small 4to. N° de réf. du vendeur 376554

Détails bibliographiques

Titre : Album of Original Drawings and Manuscript ...
Éditeur : London
Date d'édition : 1828
Signé : Signé par l'auteur