- 10
[Gosden, Thomas]
Estimate
3,500 - 5,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Impressions of a Series of Animals, Birds, &c. Illustrative of British Field Sports: from a set of silver buttons, drawn by A. Cooper, Esq. R.A. and engraved by Mr. John Scott. London: printed for J.H. Burn and R. and S. Prowett, 1821
- paper
First edition, 8vo (235 x 159mm.), 15 leaves printed recto only, each page with decorative border, 4pp. advertisements at end, engraved additional title by Scott, 16 engravings (proofs) by Scott after Cooper, each on a circular disc of india paper mounted in position within a decorative wood-engraved surround (comprising 2 head-pieces [the first including the reversed initials 'T.G.'], 2 tailpieces, 12 illustrations), the final leaf with a wood-engraved tailpiece, contemporary russia by Lloyd tooled to a design by Thomas Gosden (with his initials 'T.G.' incorporated into the powder flask tool on both covers), covers elaborately panelled in gilt and blind, early inscription of Hayne on front free-endpaper, armorial bookplate of William Loring Andrews (co-founder of the Grolier club), leather book label of David Wagstaff
Literature
cf. British Library, online database of bookbindings, shelfmarks 'c48g12' and 'Davis261'; W. Loring Andrews, An English XIX Century Sportsman, Bibliophile and Binder of Angling Books; Ellis Howe, A List of London Bookbinders, 1648-1815 (1950), p.41; H.M. Nixon, Five Centuries of English Bookbinding, p.88; C. Ramsden, London Bookbinders, p.73; Schwerdt IV, p.40 (and see plate on facing page) and cf. I, p.213
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
An extraordinary production, with plates printed from buttons: this copy from the collection of one of the founders of the Grolier Club and the author of one of the earliest works on Gosden, English XIX Century Sportsman, Bibliophile and Binder of Angling Books (New York, 1906).
Schwerdt had two copies of this rare work and described his morocco-bound copy, which is closest to the present example, as a large paper copy with "proof impressions on India paper." The British Library also has two copies, both of which are the same size as the present example. Both are bound in calf with tooling that appears to be identical to both the Schwerdt copy and the present work. One of the British Library copies (Davis 261) includes the ticket of the binder Lloyd.
The presence of this ticket and the identical nature of the tooling seem to suggest that Lloyd, probably working to Thomas Gosden's design, was the binder of the present work. However, Gosden, who described himself as a "Bookbinder, Publisher, and Bookseller," was undoubtedly responsible, either as a binder or a designer, for some of the most characteristic and recognisable bindings of the period, and the present work is a prime example. According to Howard Nixon, Loring Andrews (an earlier owner of this work) "was doubtful whether Gosden was a binder himself, but Ellic Howe's researches make it clear that he was" (Five Centuries of English Book Binding, p.198). This was supported by Ramsden's work.
Schwerdt had two copies of this rare work and described his morocco-bound copy, which is closest to the present example, as a large paper copy with "proof impressions on India paper." The British Library also has two copies, both of which are the same size as the present example. Both are bound in calf with tooling that appears to be identical to both the Schwerdt copy and the present work. One of the British Library copies (Davis 261) includes the ticket of the binder Lloyd.
The presence of this ticket and the identical nature of the tooling seem to suggest that Lloyd, probably working to Thomas Gosden's design, was the binder of the present work. However, Gosden, who described himself as a "Bookbinder, Publisher, and Bookseller," was undoubtedly responsible, either as a binder or a designer, for some of the most characteristic and recognisable bindings of the period, and the present work is a prime example. According to Howard Nixon, Loring Andrews (an earlier owner of this work) "was doubtful whether Gosden was a binder himself, but Ellic Howe's researches make it clear that he was" (Five Centuries of English Book Binding, p.198). This was supported by Ramsden's work.