A Collection Of Fifty-Three Prints, Consisting Of Etchings And Engravings, By Those Ingenious Artists Messrs. George And John Smith, Of Chichester, After Their Own Paintings And Other Masters. -
RA Collection: Book
Record number
06/5921
Imprint
London:: Published By John Boydell, Cheapside., [1770.]
Physical Description
[1] f., [53] pl.; 373 mm.
General Note
One of the leaves carries two prints.
Responsibility Note
A few plates are signed as painted by Geo. Smith and engraved by Jno. Smith; several are signed by both or either, without specifying the role. A few carry the name of the source-artist, Rembrandt.
References
ESTC, N52608 The Smiths of Chichester [exhibition catalogue] (1986)
P. Mitchell, 'George Smith of Chichester', in West Sussex History, 26 (1983 September), p.3-8.
Summary Note
No publication-date is given on the title leaf. The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography states that the collection was published in 1770. Several plates carry the date of 1767.
The plates show landscape views or animals. They are all tipped in.
The landscapes of the Smith brothers were much admired in the eighteenth century. The brothers won several prizes, and their influence was desseminated not only by their own engravings but also by those of Woollett, W. Elliott, J.Peake and F. Vivares.
Provenance
The front pastedown carries an armorial bookplate lettered with the motto 'L'Espérance Fait Vivre' and the name 'Warwick, Wyddrington House, Cheltenham'.
Copy Note
The back pastedown carries the bookseller's ticket, which reads, 'J. Rimell, Bookseller 400 Oxford St London N.W.', and shows a shop and shoppers in early 19th-century dress.
Binding Note
19th-century half green morocco, brown cloth-covered boards; spine lettered 'Etchings By G. & J. Smith Of Chichester' and 'R.A.'
Landscapes (environments) - Animals - Great Britain - History - 18th century
Drawings - Paintings - Environments (representations) - Great Britain - 18th century
Views - Great Britain - 18th century
Pictorial works - Great Britain - 18th century