Miscellaneous Etchings, Old and New
Samuel Howitt
Early edition of Howitt's lively suite of animal, sporting, and rural etchings, preserving the full complement of 50 plates. The album gathers studies of horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, dogs, and country life, many first issued separately. This copy lacks the engraved title leaf but retains all 50 etchings.
[London: Edward Orme, 1811 or 1812]. Oblong quarto. 50 etched plates on laid paper. Contemporary half burgundy roan over marbled boards, gilt roll at the spine edges, with a printed title-and-price label to the upper board: "Howitt's Miscellaneous Etchings. Price £2 12s. 6d." Binding rubbed and worn, with abrasion and losses to the marbled paper, wear to the leather, and bumped, exposed corners. Scattered foxing, toning, and occasional soiling to the plates, heavier in places; engraved title absent. Front pastedown signed "George C. Gregory," with his manuscript note recording purchase at the seven-day sale of Sir William Fraser's library on April 25, 1901.