"I know of but One Art" Alfred Stevens and His Work being a Collection of 57 Autotypes with a brief Memoir & Account of his principal productions so far as they are known by Hugh Stannus Architect Lecturer on Applied Art at University College & Teacher of Architectural Ornament at the Royal Academy [epigraph in Greek letter]
London:: The Autotype Company:, 1891 (All rights reserved)
Physical Description
vii, [3], 39, [1] p., [57] pl. (incl. frontis. and add. t.pl.): [1] illus.;496 mm. (Folio.)
General Note
Plates carry no numbers, but are assigned numbers in 'List Of Illustrations' and on their plate-guards.
Contents
[Dedic., frontis., add. t.pl., t.p.] - Preface - List Of Illustrations - [Text, and pl. III, IV] - [Plates V-LVII] - Index - [Colophon].
Responsibility Note
The plates are not signed. The Preface states that 'It will be obvious, on examining the Illustrations in this book, that the special Processes invented and worked by the Autotype Co. give a more faithful reproduction of Artistic work than is possible with Pen Drawings made by an intervening hand'.
The text printer is named in the colophon: 'Chiswick Press Printed By Charles Whittingham And Co. Tooks Court, Chancery Lane, London, E.C.'
The work is dedicated by The Writer to Sir Frederick Leighton Baronet President Of The Royal Academy.
References
S. Beattie, Alfred Stevens, 1817-75 [exhibition catalogue] (1975); J. Physick, The Wellington monument (1970).
Summary Note
The added title plate reads, 'Alfred Stevens And His Work'.
The Preface states, 'This Book is a result ... of the exhibition of some of Alfred Stevens' works, which occupied one room among the "Old Masters" at the Royal Academy, in 1889'.
The plates show examples of 'Fine' and 'Industrial' arts - categories which Stevens was always keen not to separate. The originals are described in the List Of Illustrations as photograph, engraving, painting, drawing, pencil drawing, chalk study, bronze, bronze and iron, iron, tiles, wax, pen-and-ink, plaster models, pottery, mosaic, model, carved wood and marble. These are reproduced as 'autotype', 'collotype' or 'autogravure' (processes which are explained in the Preface). The in-text illustration shows the house in which Stevens was born.
The print-run is stated on the verso of the title-page: 'This Edition is limited to One Hundred and Fifty Copies, of which this is No ... For the Autotype Company ...' - inscribed in ink, '103' and 'S.M. Peartree.'
Provenance
Purchased for the RA Library in 1906.
Copy Note
The verso of the front loose endpaper is inscribed in pencil, 'Published at £6.6.0 net. offered for £4.4.0 net.' The rear pastedown carries the bookseller's printed label, which reads, 'B.T. Batsford, Architectural & Engineering Bookseller & Publisher, 94, High Holborn, London, W.C.'
Binding Note
19th-century half brown morocco, green cloth-covered boards, upper cover lettered in blind '"I know of but One Art"', in gilt 'Alfred Stevens And His Work' and 'Eelios Men Gar Ponon Ellachen Emata Panta Oude Pot' Ampausis gignetai Oudemia Auto' and in blind 'London. The Autotype Company. 1891'; spine lettered 'Alfred Stevens & His Work'.
Sculpture, British - Designs - Great Britain - History - 19th century
Art history - Memoirs - Great Britain - 19th century
Pictorial works - Photomechanical prints - Carbon process - Collotypes - Photogravures - Great Britain - 19th century