Lot 21: BEWICK, Thomas (1753-1828). A Complete set of India Paper Proofs for A Hist

BEWICK, Thomas (1753-1828). A Complete set of India Paper Proofs for A History of British Birds and A General History of Quadrupeds. [London] 1820- 1826. India paper proofs of Bewick’s fne wood engravings, in a sumptuous Riviere binding. Bewick is famed for not only the sharply observed detail of his style, but also for the humorous and lively vignettes which appear alongside his more scientifc illustrations. This collection contains not only his birds and quadrupeds, but all the tailpiece vignettes as well. The india paper captures the crisp details of his lines, which are often lost when printing on coarser paper. This set was put together by Edward Basel Jupp, a lawyer and antiquarian who collected Bewick’s work. Jupp also collected and grangerized art catalogues; the present set, carefully assembled, combines these two interests. See Roscoe 144. Four quarto albums (269 x 209mm). 4 title pages, 775 india paper proofs mounted on drawing paper (occasional spotting afecting image). Green morocco by Riviere with gilt monogram of Edward Basil Jupp. Provenance: Edward Basil Jupp (1812-1877, bookplates and binding; his sale, Christie’s February 1878). (4)