Author: ALKEN, Henry
Title: Illustrations to Popular Songs
Description: London: , 1823. The Duke of Gloucester's Copy With Three of the Original Pencil Sketches for the Book By Henry Alken ALKEN, Henry. Illustrations to Popular Songs. London: Published by Thomas M'Lean, 1823. First edition, second issue. Oblong folio (9 15/16 x 14 3/8 inches; 253 x 366 mm.). [2] leaves (containing letterpress title and “Address” leaf). Forty-three hand-colored etched plates (including added pictorial title). With three of the original pencil sketches by Henry Alken that were used to prepare the soft-ground printing plates, with ink or pencil captions for plates no. 5, 34, and 39. All plates dated 1822. Each plate contains two to six comical scenes, including several hunting or sporting scenes, illustrating titles of popular songs. Plates watermarked 1821-1824. Bound ca. 1900 in quarter plum straight-grain morocco over marbled boards. Plum straight-grain morocco title label to upper board. Gilt rules to spine. Small chip to bottom of spine. With the armorial bookplate of Prince Henry, first duke of Gloucester (1900–1974) on front paste-down. Minimal foxing to pictorial title-page, endpapers creased, still a superb and unique example. The three additional preparatory drawings are tipped to blank leaves facing the relevant plate. “First issued in 1822, reissued in 1823, 1825, 1826, 1831” (Tooley). "'Swans sing before they die --- 'twere no bad thing "'Should some folks die before they sing.' "So whispered a friend to Mr. Alken, when they were once compelled to hear the discordant notes of a volunteer at a convivial party. 'I wish it were so,' said the Artist, 'but the words of the Song furnish a good subject for a Sketch,' and he soon presented his friend with the Illustration of 'Begone Dull Care,' this was much approved of, and became the first 'Symptom' of the 'Illustrations of Popular Songs,' a Work intended to furnish the Amateur of the Fine Arts, and of Singing, with characteristic representations of his favourite subjects, that he may have the pleasure of beholding the Poet's fancy, embodied by the glowing warmth of the Artist's fertile imagination." (Introduction). Provenance: Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester's copy with his bookplate Schwerdt IV, p. 4 (1823 issue); Siltzer p. 71; Tooley 37 (1822 issue); Not in Abbey. .
Keywords: Caricatures Hunting Sports Horses
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Title: Illustrations to Popular Songs
Description: London: , 1823. The Duke of Gloucester's Copy With Three of the Original Pencil Sketches for the Book By Henry Alken ALKEN, Henry. Illustrations to Popular Songs. London: Published by Thomas M'Lean, 1823. First edition, second issue. Oblong folio (9 15/16 x 14 3/8 inches; 253 x 366 mm.). [2] leaves (containing letterpress title and “Address” leaf). Forty-three hand-colored etched plates (including added pictorial title). With three of the original pencil sketches by Henry Alken that were used to prepare the soft-ground printing plates, with ink or pencil captions for plates no. 5, 34, and 39. All plates dated 1822. Each plate contains two to six comical scenes, including several hunting or sporting scenes, illustrating titles of popular songs. Plates watermarked 1821-1824. Bound ca. 1900 in quarter plum straight-grain morocco over marbled boards. Plum straight-grain morocco title label to upper board. Gilt rules to spine. Small chip to bottom of spine. With the armorial bookplate of Prince Henry, first duke of Gloucester (1900–1974) on front paste-down. Minimal foxing to pictorial title-page, endpapers creased, still a superb and unique example. The three additional preparatory drawings are tipped to blank leaves facing the relevant plate. “First issued in 1822, reissued in 1823, 1825, 1826, 1831” (Tooley). "'Swans sing before they die --- 'twere no bad thing "'Should some folks die before they sing.' "So whispered a friend to Mr. Alken, when they were once compelled to hear the discordant notes of a volunteer at a convivial party. 'I wish it were so,' said the Artist, 'but the words of the Song furnish a good subject for a Sketch,' and he soon presented his friend with the Illustration of 'Begone Dull Care,' this was much approved of, and became the first 'Symptom' of the 'Illustrations of Popular Songs,' a Work intended to furnish the Amateur of the Fine Arts, and of Singing, with characteristic representations of his favourite subjects, that he may have the pleasure of beholding the Poet's fancy, embodied by the glowing warmth of the Artist's fertile imagination." (Introduction). Provenance: Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester's copy with his bookplate Schwerdt IV, p. 4 (1823 issue); Siltzer p. 71; Tooley 37 (1822 issue); Not in Abbey. .
Keywords: Caricatures Hunting Sports Horses
Price: US$ 3500.00 Seller: David Brass Rare Books (ABAA/ILAB)
- Book number: 05808
- Book number: 05808
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