1802 · London:
by [Fore-Edge Painting] [BIBLE 1802].
London:: John Reeves, 1802., 1802. 4to. [ii], xxi pp. [228] ff. [a2, b-d4, e2, A-Z4, 2A-Z4, 3A-G4]. Original dark greenish-blue straight-grain morocco, gilt floral ruled borders, raised bands with three angels in three compartments, a.e.g. The binding is not signed but it is similar to other English bindings of the period, possibly Staggemeier & Welcher. The spine foot says "Genesis to Numbers" and "Reeves's - Edition" in gilt. Early armorial bookplate of W. H. Battie-Wrightson, Cusworth, Yorkshire. Extensively annotated in ink holograph (3 1/2 pages on blank endleaves), being the record of Thomas de Grey's family births, marriages and deaths; he is the second son of Lord Walsingham, "a clergyman married Elizabeth Fourth Daughter of the Hon.ble. Brownlow North, Bishop of Winchester on the 12th of August 1802 by Special Licence at the Private Chapel at Winchester House Chelsea. . ." Very good. WITH A DOUBLE FORE-EDGE PAINTING of Philadelphia in 1790 and New York in 1820. The scene of Philadelphia shows churches, buildings, a harbor and shipping scene; on the reverse edge showing "New York" has various harbor buildings. Not signed; likely painted just prior to Leamington's owning this volume, thus ca. 1953. The artist is not known. Often an American bookstore would import a volume acquired from an artist or a British bookstore. / Written in pencil, "Dr. [Carl J.] Weber says no American scenes [on] double fore-edge paintings . . . Bot [bought] of Leamington B[oo]k Shop July '53. says this is the 3rd he has [brought] over." While a lot of time has passed, one should never say "never" with regard to topics painted. The fact is that more and more paintings were painted and as that occurred, the market was in America, so scenes of American city views (most being not so recognizable maybe), became painted more and more as well. It largely depended on when the artists were painting and where they derived their commissions. Some artists were working independently of a bookstore or a binder and those painters also had their own patterns of what they painted frequently. Samuel Stevens (not the artist here!) was exactly that type of artist. / PROVENANCE: W. H. Battie-Wrightson, Cusworth, Yorkshire. William Wrightson (1752-1827), of Cusworth Hall, Doncaster, Yorkshire, was a former member of Parliament (1784-1790); his son of the same name, lived (1789-1879); it is unclear which person's bookplate the name refers. Brownlow North (1741-1820), (former owner, family member) was appointed Bishop of Winchester in 1781. [DNB]. More recently, a pencil note within the book indicates it was purchased from Leamington Book Shop, July 1953. A bookseller's clipped catalogue description appears to be that of Leamington's [Price: £18 10s. ca. 1953]. A later pencil note 12/98 indicates this book was priced in December 1998 at $1600].
(Inventory #: FF2540)