ALKEN, Henry

Alken's New Sketch Book

London: Published by S. and J. Fuller, 1823. Exceptionally Rare Alken Title With Forty Finely Hand-Colored Soft Ground Etchings Depicting Equitation, Hunting and Other Sports ALKEN, Henry. Alken's New Sketch Book. London: Published by S. and J. Fuller, [1823]. First edition. Oblong quarto (8 5/8 x 11 3/8 inches; 220 x 289 mm.). Printed title-page and forty finely hand colored soft-ground etched plates, heightened with gum arabic. The plates depict equitation, hunting and other sports. Thirty of the plates are single-scene illustrations, ten have multi-scene images. Contemporary quarter purple calf over marbled boards, decoratively ruled in gilt, green leather label on upper cover lettered in gilt. Smooth spine with two raised bands at top and bottom, ruled in gilt in compartments, later end-papers. Engraved bookplate of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester on font paste-down. Some rubbing to spine and corners. A near fine copy of this exceptionally rare Alken title. Very rare, Siltzer p. 71; Not located in Biscotti; Not in Dulles (Anderson Galleries NY, Dec 10-12, 1912). We know of only on other copy - and that one is not colored. According to OCLC there is just one copy in libraries and institutions, worldwide: HUV, Huntington Library, Los Angeles, CA. (not colored). Our copy (the only one we could find at auction) was sold at The Duke of Gloucester sale, Christie's, London, January 2006, lot 614 - £1,440). "Henry Alken, senior, was a genius in every respect; his style was admirable and his colouring delightful.. [he] was a first-class sportsman who drew from his own experience in field and cover and in fact in every branch of sport excepting hawking. His artistic talents alone could scarcely have produced the charm with which his drawings and prints are imbued, if he had not possessed a practical knowledge of horses and hounds going, harness and craftsmanship, while a gift for composition and a ready appreciation of a comical situation crown his remarkable qualities.. It is unfortunate that Alken's value as an artist was not fully recognised sooner, because most of his sets of coloured prints, in brilliant state and in the original wrappers, are now introuvable. Atmospheric dampness and exposure to strong light, combine to ruin framed prints within a very few years; in fact, all those which have been exposed on walls for any length of time will be found to be more or less bleached and to retain very little of their original colouring. Probably the work of no other sporting artist has been imitated so much as that of Henry Alken, senior." (Schwerdt. Hunting, Hawking, Shooting. Volume I, p. 11). Bobins V, 1624; Siltzer. The Story of British Sporting Prints, p.71; Not in Biscotti, Dulles, Schwerdt, Tooley or Widener. .

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Book number: 05695

Catalogue: Color-Plate Books

Keywords: Caricatures Sports

ALKEN, Henry, illustrator; SURTEES, Robert S.

Analysis of the Hunting Field, the

London: Published by Rudolph Ackermann, 1846. It was, perhaps, the best hunting season of modern times" (Preface) [ALKEN, Henry, illustrator]. [SURTEES, Robert Smith]. The Analysis of the Hunting Field, Being a Series of Sketches of the Principal Characters That Compose One. The Whole Forming a Slight Souvenir of the Season 1845-6. With Numerous Illustrations, by H. Alken. London: Published by Rudolph Ackermann, 1846. First edition, mixed issue, with the earliest state of plates 4 & 5 (dated Nov. 9th) but with the Preface dated 1847. Large octavo (9 3/4 x 6 inches; 246 x 152 mm). [8], 326, [4, publisher's catalogue] pp. Seven hand-colored aquatint plates by J. Harris after H. Alken, including frontispiece and pictorial title, forty-three woodcuts. Some light, mainly marginal spotting throughout. Publisher's green ribbed cloth, covers decoratively bordered in blind, front cover pictorially stamped in gilt, rear cover similarly stamped in blind, spine decoratively stamped in gilt, yellow coated endpapers, all edges gilt. Top of spine and inner hinges repaired, lower joint worn, spine sunned. Engraved 'sporting' bookplate of Van Santvoord Merle-Smith on front paste-down. A good copy. "This work first appeared in Bell's Life and the first edition in book form.. at 31s. 6d.. There are two issues. First issue in green cloth with both titles and the preface dated 1846. Second issue in red cloth, with the preface dated occasionally 1846 but usually 1847.. There are early states of some of the plates with imprint dated Nov. 9th not Nov. 19th" (Tooley). The Plates: 1. Frontispiece - The Meet. 2. Engraved title. 3. Getting Away. 4. Full Cry. 5. The Check. 6. The Leap. 7. Whoo-hoo-o-o-p. Robert Smith Surtees (1805-1864) was an English editor, novelist and sporting writer. Thackeray envied him his powers of observation, while William Morris considered him 'a master of life' and ranked him with Dickens. In The Analysis of the Hunting Field, Surtees offers wry, fatherly advice in this satiric romp through the key archetypes of the fox hunt. As Lord Denham says in his introduction, "this should be required reading for anyone connected with hunting. From the right sort of Master to the wrong sort, from the hunting nobleman to the whip and from the blacksmith to the braggart with horses to sell we find the people 'pon the ‘orses are much the same as today." "More people are flattered into virtue than were ever bullied out of vice" (Surtees, Analysis of the Hunting Field). Bobins IV, 1320; Podeschi 177; Schwerdt II p.232; Siltzer, p. 73; Tooley 470. .

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Book number: 05688

Catalogue: Color-Plate Books

Keywords: SURTEES, Robert S Caricatures Hunting Sports Horses

ALKEN, Henry

British Proverbs

London: E. & C. Mc.Lean, 1824. It's Not How Long - But How Well We Live" ALKEN, Henry. British Proverbs. London: E. & C. Mc.Lean, 1824. First edition. Oblong quarto (10/1/4 x 13 3/4 inches; 261 x 350 mm.). Six amusing hand-colored soft-ground etchings, five with five and one with four scenes, depicting a total of twenty-nine proverbs. Bound ca. 1900 by Rivière & Son in full tan calf, covers decoratively bordered in gilt, spine with two raised bands, decoratively tooled in compartments, black morocco spine label lettered in gilt. Gilt board-edges and wide decorative turn-ins, dark blue coated end-papers. With the Armorial bookplate of Arthur Curtiss James and also the engraved bookplate of De Guinzbourg on the front paste-down. Joints very slightly cracked at top and bottom but still absolutely sound. A near fine copy housed in a later brown cloth slipcase. Originally issued in paper wrappers with printed title on the front cover. Very scarce, this is only the second example that we have seen in over fifty years. OCLC located just eleven copies in institutions and libraries worldwide - nine in the US, one in the UK and one in New Zealand. The Plates: 1. Life without a friend is death with a witness.. 2. Good to begin well - better to end well.. 3. He who would have a hare for breakfast must hunt overnight.. 4. The horse thinks one thing and the man that rides him another.. 5. They who Love most are least set by.. 6. All things are soon prepar'd in a well Ordered house.. Henry Thomas ALKEN (12 October 1785 - 7 April 1851) was an English painter and engraver chiefly known as a caricaturist and illustrator of sporting subjects and coaching scenes. His most prolific period of painting and drawing occurred between 1816 and 1831. Tooley, 21. .

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Book number: 04095

Catalogue: Color-Plate Books

Keywords: Caricatures

[ALKEN, Henry, illustrator]; NIMROD; APPERLEY, Charles J.

Chace, the Turf, and the Road, the

London: John Murray, 1837. Alken Off To The Races With Apperley In The Saddle First Edition [ALKEN, Henry, illustrator]. NIMROD (pseud. of Charles J. Apperley). The Chace, The Turf, and the Road. With Illustrations by Henry Alken, and a Portrait by D. Maclise. London: John Murray, 1837. First edition in book form, originally serially published in the Quarterly Review. Octavo (8 3/4 x 5 3/8 in; 223 x 135 mm). xx, 301, [1, printer's slug], [18, publisher's catalogs] pp. Thirteen hand-colored plates, some in aquatint, with tissue guards, and plain, stipple-engraved portrait frontispiece. Publisher's original pictorial green cloth with gilt vignette and borders blocked in blind, expertly recased. Gilt decorated spine. Spine very slightly faded, still an excellent copy. Housed in a later green cloth clamshell case. Charles James Apperley (1777-1843), English sportsman and sporting writer, better known as Nimrod, the pseudonym under which he published his works on the chase and on the turf. A devoted fox-hunter, around 1821 Apperley began to contribute a series of articles to The Sporting Magazine, under the pseudonym of "Nimrod," that covered horse races, hunt meets and other sporting events. His references to the personalities of the people he knew or met at such events helped to double the circulation of the magazine within a few years. Mr. Pittman, the proprietor of The Sporting Magazine, gave Nimrod a handsome salary and defrayed all the expenses of his tours. He also gave Nimrod a stud of hunters. After Pittman's death, the proprietors of the magazine sued Apperley for the money that had been advanced. To avoid imprisonment, Apperley moved to Calais in 1830, where he supported himself by writing. Apperley is best known for his two books, The Life of a Sportsman, and Memoirs of the Life of John Mytton, both of which were illustrated with colored engravings by Henry Thomas Alken. Apperley eventually returned to England and died in Upper Belgrave Place, London, on 19 May 1843. The Plates: 1. Preparing to Start. 2. Getting Well Off. 3. The Race - Epsom. 4. The Melton Hunt. 5. Getting Away. 6. A Queerish Place. 7. A Pull Up. 8. The Lane. 9. Whissendine Brook. 10. The Death. 11. It's The Comet, &c. 12. The Regulator. 13. The Quicksilver Mail. Podeschi 152. Siltzer. p. 73. Schwerdt I, p. 36. .

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Book number: 02542

Catalogue: Color-Plate Books

Keywords: NIMROD APPERLEY, Charles J. Caricatures Coaching English History Nineteenth-Century Literature

ALKEN, Henry

Fashion & Folly, or the Buck's Pilgrimage

London: William Sams, 1822. The Adventures of Lubin and his Friend Dashall One of the Rarest of all of Henry Alken's Works ALKEN, Henry, artist. HEATH, William, engraver. Fashion & Folly, or The Buck's Pilgrimage. [London: William Sams, 1822]. First edition. Oblong quarto (7 1/8 x 11 7/8 inches; 181 x 302 mm.). A series of twenty-four hand-colored aquatints including one which is double-folding, each mounted on stiff card. Each scene has four lines of verse printed at foot in double column. Late nineteenth century half dark green morocco over marbled boards, front cover with dark green straight-grain morocco label, decoratively stamped and lettered in gilt. Recased with later endpapers. Some spotting to the mounts, otherwise a near fine example. A highly colorful panorama, here in book form, illustrating the London adventures of Lubin with his friend Dashall. The well-off Lubin is seen leaving his country seat for London and experiencing scenes of high and low life. Their disregard for the expense is such that the two friends are eventually surprised by a bailiff and end up in a debtor's prison with ample time to reflect on their empty pockets and ill health. One of the rarest of all the works by Henry Alken which apparently appeared both in Panorama and book form. Abbey's copy was preserved in the original boxwood drum and measured 4 7/8 x 242 1/2 inches (which is identical to the total plate size of the present volume) William Heath (1794-1840). British artist and engraver, he had concentrated in his early career mostly on military scenes but from 1830 he concentrated almost exclusively on satire. According to some internet sources but neither catalogue nor Abbey says anything other than Alken. Provenance: Le Vivier Library. Provenance: Le Vivier Library (Christie's South Kensington, 30 October 2012, lot 35). Abbey Life in England, 487; Bobins IV, 1296; Sabin 31; Not in Podeschi. .

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Book number: 05624

Catalogue: Color-Plate Books

Keywords: Caricatures Sports

ALKEN, Henry

Fox Hunting

London: Thomas Mc.Lean, 1823. Four Magnificent Hand Colored Aquatint Plates, All Heightened With Gum Arabic Showing the Full Sweep of the Hunt Across the Rolling English Countryside.. ALKEN, Henry. Fox Hunting. London: Thomas Mc.Lean, 1823. First edition. Oblong folio (13 5/8 x 17 7/8 inches; 347 x 454 mm.). An untitled series of four superb plates etched by Henry Alken and aquatinted by G. Hunt. The plates printed in color and finished by hand, all heightened with gum arabic. Average plate image size 10 7/8 x 16 1/16 inches: 277 x 408 mm. All with the imprint "London. Published by Thomas Mc.Lean. 26 Haymarket, 1823." Margins of plates very slightly browned but still a magnificent series of plates showing the full sweep of the hunt across the rolling English countryside, with outstanding coloring. Bound into an album for the Lakeside Press Chicago ca. 1930 (stamp-signed on front turn-in) in half orange morocco over gray paper boards ruled in gilt. Front cover with shield shaped blue morocco label lettered in gilt, smooth spine lettered in gilt, pale gray endpapers. Bookplate of Joel Spitz on front paste-down. Very rare. We can find no other record of this set of four. There was no copy in the Fitz Eugene Dixon sale (Anderson Galleries, New York, 1937). Provenance: purchased in Paris, 1947. The plates: 1. The Cover. 2. Full Cry. 3. Check. 4. The Death. Mellon/Snelgrove, Alken 19 (listed as "A set of four"); Siltzer p. 60; Wilder, English Sporting Prints, p. 219. .

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Book number: 03351

Catalogue: Color-Plate Books

Keywords: Caricatures Hunting Sports

ALKEN, Henry; ARMSTRONG, William Henry; ACKERMANN, Rudolph, publisher

Gretna-Green Bolt-a, the

London [&] Paris: Rudolph Ackermann [&] Galignani & Co. 1853. A Rare Work. The frontispiece. which is executed in the manner of Henry Alken" From the Library of Fitz Eugene Dixon [ALKEN, Henry, in the style of]. [ARMSTRONG, William Henry]. O'BRADLEY, Arthur, pseudonym. The Gretna-Green Bolt-a, or, Young Ladies' Man-ual. Edited by Arthur O'Bradley, Esq. London [&] Paris: Rudolph Ackermann [&] Galignani & Co. [1853]. First and only edition. Oblong octavo (5 1/2 x 11 1/8 inches; 140 x 282 mm.). 69, [1] pp, printed on pink paper. Hand colored lithograph frontispiece heightened with gum arabic (on white paper) depicting the pursuit of an eloping couple. The lithograph is unsigned and with no imprint. It has been suggested that it is by the sporting artist Henry Alken (1785-1851). Publisher's green pebble-grain cloth, neatly rebacked to style, inner hinges strengthened. Copy of the hand colored lithograph frontispiece, heightened with gum arabic, affixed to front cover (same as Major Abbey's copy) all edges gilt. A few small marginal stains, still an excellent copy. From the library of Fitz Eugene Dixon with his armorial bookplate on front paste-down. "A Rare Work. The frontispiece. which is executed in the manner of Henry Alken, depicts a stage coach, two riders, a footman, and two pairs of horses at top speed on their way to Gretna Green. In the distance is the pursuing coach." (Dixon, 123). A jocular poem by 'Arthur O'Bradley', apparently the pseudonym of the soldier, poet and playwright William Henry Armstrong. The attribution of the poem itself is made fairly certain by a footnote on page 64: a poem there reprinted from Lays of Love is acknowledged as being by Captain W.H. Armstrong, who also wrote under the pseudeonym 'Caleb'. The main part of the text is a poem titled 'O, my dearest Caroline!, the plot of which has a 'Bolter' and a 'Boltee' eloping to Gretna Green, pursued one must assume by her irate father. A very uncommon book with just five copies located in libraries and institutions worldwide: The British Library (UK); NLS Library of Congress (DC); Yale (CT) [the Abbey copy]; The Morgan Library (NY), and the Lilly Library (IN). Provenance: Fitz Eugene Dixon sale, Anderson Galleries New York, January 6th, 1937, lot 123. Abbey, Life in England, 408; Dixon, 123. .

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Book number: 05137

Catalogue: Color-Plate Books

Keywords: ARMSTRONG, William Henry ACKERMANN, Rudolph, publisher Caricatures Coaching Poetry

ALKEN, Henry

Hunting Recollections

London: R. Ackermann, 1829. Tally-Ho" One of the Rarest of all Henry Alken's Books ALKEN, Henry. Hunting Recollections. London: R. Ackermann, January 1st, 1829. First edition. Oblong folio (10 3/16 x 13 3/8 inches; 259 x 340 mm.). Six superb hand-colored etched plates, all heightened with gum arabic. Image size 8 1/4 x 10 3/4 inches; 210 x 273 mm. Bound without the letterpress leaf. All plates with imprint "London. Pub.d Jan.y 1. 1829, by R. Ackermann, Jun.r 191 Regent Street". Bound ca. 1930 at the Lakeside Press Chicago (stamp signed on front turn-in) in half brown morocco over patterned boards, decoratively ruled in gilt. Front cover with rectangular brown morocco label decoratively ruled and lettered in gilt. Smooth spine lettered in gilt. Housed in the original fleece-lined, brown buckram slipcase. With the bookplate of Joel Spitz on the front paste-down. Each plate has the series title "Hunting Recollections" engraved above the subject. The 'recollections' are actually the hunting witticisms which are recorded below each plate. Excessively rare with just two copies at auction over the past fifty years (both with window-mounted plates and both without letterpress leaf). OCLC locates no copies in libraries and institutions worldwide. The plates: 1. "Ware' _ Horse __D__n these Hot Horses _ they are seldom worth more than a bunch of dog's meat after a ten minutes' burst." (January 1st, 1829). 2. "So much for your Pepper __ now I want it you turn out a top." (January 1st, 1829). 3. "By the Lord Harry my Chestnut Horse can almost fly." (January 1st, 1829). 4. "Essex to wit." (January 1st, 1829). 5. "Push en sharp __ at it my Lord __ there be a h__l of a ditch a t'other side." (January 1st, 1829). 6. "There. I thought how 'twou'd be __ that e're Lord ha'n't half devil enough in him." (January 1st, 1829). Schwerdt III, p. 4 (no letterpress leaf); Mellon/Snelgrove 31; Siltzer p. 63 (1836 reissue only); Bobins IV, 1378; Not in Tooley. .

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Book number: 04814

Catalogue: Color-Plate Books

Keywords: Caricatures Hunting Sports

ALKEN, Henry

Ideas, Accidental and Incidental to Hunting and Other Sports;

London: Thomas M'Lean, 1826-30. First Edition, Early Issue The Mishaps of a Maladroit Equestrian On The Hunt And Coaches Out of Control "Have You Any Idea Which Way The Hounds Went? ALKEN, Henry. Ideas, Accidental and Incidental To Hunting and Other Sports.; Caught in Leicestershire, &c. London: Thomas M'Lean, n.d. [1826-1830]. First edition, early issue, with plates dated 1826-1830 and watermarked 1828. Upright folio (14 1/8 x 10 5/8 inches; 358 x 270 mm). Letterpress title and forty-two hand colored soft-ground etchings with protective interleaves. Plate number 26 with inner marginal insect damage just touching image, plate numbers 15 & 16 with small spot on the inner blank side margin. Contemporary half dark green morocco over tan cloth boards, front cover with rectangular maroon morocco label, decoratively bordered and lettered in gilt. Spine with five shallow 'triple' bands decoratively stamped and lettered in gilt in compartments, all edges rough gilt, pale blue endpapers. Top of spine and corners a little rubbed. With the bookplate of R. Ackermann, Junr. Regent Street, and also the publisher's original small square label "Ideas, by H. Alken. 42 Plates. Price £4. 10s. half-bound" on front paste-down. A superb example of this wonderful and highly amusing Alken rarity. A fine copy of the rare first edition. The plates depicting humorous equestrian incidents and the dangers often associated when out hunting and not fully in control of your horse. Here we see Alken's skills of composition, his understanding of horses in motion, combined with his brilliant talent for drawing to produce one of the most amusing books on hunting and coaching. "This book was published in 1830. The humorous text is etched on the plates, which were originally issued serially in seven wrappers parts from 1827 [1826] through 1830. The letterpress title-page and publisher's issue binding make a 'book' out of what would otherwise be an assembly of prints" (Mellon/Podeschi). "First issued in upright folio [as here]. A fire consumed part of the stock, and the plates were reissued in oblong folio. These latter are inferior" (Tooley). The draftmanship is good, the colouring vivid, and the inscriptions on the plates are humourous. No copies in British Museum" (Schwerdt). Bobins II, 760; Mellon/Podeschi 136; Tooley 36; Schwerdt I, pp. 17-18; Siltzer, p. 72; Maggs catalog #802 (1951) item 57 (£225). The Plates: 1. My good people I beg you not to disturb yourselves but have you any Idea which way the Hounds went (1830). 2. I say my good woman have you any Idea how they manage here to get a horse out of a brook? (1826). 3. They may call this pleasure, but I have an Idea that it has brought me into considerable trouble (1826). 4. I say my dear fellow I have an Idea that it will make a considerable alteration to your personal appearance (1826). 5. I say my hearty fellow, have you any Idea where I can get a personal conveyance to Melton? (1826). 6. I say my good fellow have you not an Idea that this hunting is exceedingly dangerous? (1826). 7. I say old furnace, have you any Idea how far it is to Melton? (1826). 8. I say old buck, have you any Idea where I can find the hounds? / Begging your pardon Sir.. (1827). 9. I had not the most distant Idea of what was on the other side (1827). 10. I shall soon loose all my Ideas (1827). 11. I say my hearty chap have you any Idea what ought to be done in the present case. (1827). 12. I have an Idea he is going and with him my 150 Guineas (1827). 13. I do not think he has an Idea left / But I have an Idea that he is dead (1827). 14. I have an Idea its ten to one but we are down now &c. (1827). (Small spot on blank side margin). 15. I say my clever feller, have you an Idea you can make this thing capable of progression? (1827). 16. I say Captain, I have an Idea we have run foul of several things in our passage (1827). 17. I have an Idea my Lord that nothing but Time or a stone wall will stop them &c (1827). 18. I say my dear Sir, have you not an Idea that there is considerable danger in the present case? (1827). 19. I have an Idea that I have got them rather too much together now (1827). 20. I say Bob you addent an Idea I could ride so well as you / I can't look just now.. (n.d). 21. My high Tom, I have an Idea we shall soon be off, &c. (n.d). 22. I ave an Idea I am down now Tom (n.d). 23. I say my buck you avent no Idea where the Ounds are, ave you? (n.d). 24. I say Joe you addent no idea it was so deep, ad you, &c. (n.d). 25. I say my boy we ave got some Ideas about the Unting now avent we? (n.d). 26. By George Harry, I have an Idea that the thing is not quite so easy as I anticipated (1830). 27. My good fellow I have an idea that I shall be right on the top of you (1830). 28. I have an Idea that this is a situation that this of considerable difficulty (1830). 29. I have an Idea that this is a most important and effective Fall (1830). 30. My dear fellows I should be extremely sorry to speak of any Country with disrespect but I have an Idea that the water here abouts is not exceedingly fragrant (1830). 31. You can have no Idea what a magnificent day I have had (1830). 32. This is just to give you an Idea of a Steeple Chase (1830). 33. I have an Idea that this is our Yeoman Cavalry races (1830). 34. I have a strong Idea we shall hit som' thing this time (1830). 35. Is that really a Are, &c. (1830). 36. I begin to have an Idea that this Tandem driving is not altogether free from danger (1830). 37. I had not the most distant Idea of Getting in such sport as this (1830). 38. My good fellows I have an Idea that this sort of gate was make for only one at a time to go through (1830). 39. I have an Idea that this Fence is either too High or that my Horse is too Short (1830). 40. I have no idea what could induce me to follow you over this d..d rotten Bridge (1830). 41. I have an Idea I shall win now if I can but carry in my weight (1830). 42. I positively have no Idea what I am to do in this case &c. (1830). .

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Book number: 05600

Catalogue: Color-Plate Books

Keywords: Caricatures Hunting Sports

ALKEN, Henry

Illustrations to Popular Songs

London: Thomas M'Lean, 1823. True Sportsmen are We for the Game Once in View" ALKEN, Henry. Illustrations to Popular Songs. London: Published by Thomas M'Lean, 1822. First edition, first issue. Oblong folio (9 1/4 x 13 3/4 inches; 235 x 347 mm.). [1] leaf (Address). Forty-two (of forty-three) hand-colored etched plates (including added pictorial title). All plates dated 1822. Each plate contains two to six comical scenes, including several hunting or sporting scenes, illustrating titles of popular songs. Bound without the letterpress-title and the plate "No more I'll court the town bred fair &c" Full contemporary russia, covers decoratively stamped in blind and gilt, front cover letters in gilt, spine with title stamped in blind, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers. Board edges a little rubbed. A very good copy. "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). Schwerdt IV, p. 4 (1823 issue). Tooley 37. Not in Abbey. .

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Book number: 03001

Catalogue: Color-Plate Books

Keywords: Caricatures Sports

ALKEN, Henry; NIMROD; APPERLEY, Charles J.

Life of a Sportsman, the

London: Rudolph Ackermann, Eclipse Sporting Gallery, 1842. First Issue The "Rich In Interest" Classic With 36 Hand-Colored Aquatints in the Original Cloth [ALKEN, Henry, illustrator]. NIMROD (pseud. of Charles J. Apperley). The Life of a Sportsman. With Thirty-Six Coloured Illustrations by Henry Alken. London: R. Ackermann, Eclipse Sporting Gallery, 1842. First edition, first issue with four plates on India paper mounted on plate paper, and plate at p. 348 in first state. Octavo (9 1/2 x 5 3/4 in; 243 x 145 mm). vi, [2, contents], 402, [10, catalog] pp. Thirty-four hand-colored aquatint plates. Extra engraved aquatint title page, vignettes and portrait. Publisher's original blue cloth with gilt vignette and border blocked in blind, expertly recased. Gilt decorated spine. All edges gilt. New endpapers in pale yellow as original. A fine copy. Housed in a quarter blue morocco drop-front clamshell box. "When Lockhart said of 'Nimrod' that he could 'hunt like Hugo Meynell and write like Walter Scott,' he was doubtless excited into exaggeration by the pleasure of having hit upon a man who could write of sport without the vulgarity of Egan..The Life of a Sportsman, published in 1842, contains a very pleasant account of country life in days when sport was no longer confused with debauchery; while its descriptions of runs to hounds, its lore of hunting and of four-in-hand driving, and its variety of incident and anecdote make it still both valuable and agreeable. Apperley, though not a Walter Scott, was a good writer; he knew his subject thoroughly, on both the scientific and the personal sides, and this work of fiction, though poor in plot, is rich in interest" (Cambridge History of English and American Literature, Volume XIV. The Victorian Age, Part Two. Ch. 15, Nimrod). Charles J. Apperley (1778-1843) "began writing for the Sporting Magazine. From his boyhood his ruling passions had been hunting, horse-riding, and horse management..Apperley's expert knowledge and social status made him an invaluable recruit to the sporting press of the time, and he may even be said to have created the role of gentleman hunting correspondent. Writing at first under various pseudonyms (Acastus, Eques, and A), he published his first article for the Sporting Magazine as Nimrod in January 1822 and he subsequently usually used that nom de plume. For five seasons, from 1824 to 1828, he was the magazine's official representative..Many of his articles were in serial form and were subsequently published as books, notably his Memoirs of the Life of John Mytton (1837) and The Life of a Sportsman (1842).. his ability and authority were unquestioned. He earned the respect of sportsmen everywhere not only for his skillful and fearless riding but also for the knowledge and judgment he displayed in his writings and for his unrivaled experience of the hunting world. As Nimrod he held a unique position in his day and left an imperishable memory in sporting history" (Oxford DNB). Podeschi 167. Siltzer, p. 73. Schwerdt I, p. 36. Tooley, 65. .

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Book number: 02543

Catalogue: Color-Plate Books

Keywords: NIMROD APPERLEY, Charles J. Hunting Sports

ALKEN, Henry; NIMROD; APPERLEY, Charles J.

Life of a Sportsman, the

London: Rudolph Ackermann, Eclipse Sporting Gallery, 1842. First Issue The "Rich In Interest" Classic With 36 Hand-Colored Aquatints and Bound by Zaehsndorf [ALKEN, Henry, illustrator]. NIMROD (pseud. of Charles J. Apperley). The Life of a Sportsman. By Nimrod. With Thirty-Six Coloured Illustrations by Henry Alken. London: Rudolph Ackermann, Eclipse Sporting Gallery, 1842. First edition, first issue with four plates on India paper mounted on plate paper, and plate at p. 348 in first state. Octavo (9 1/4 x 6 inches; 235 x 152 mm). vi, [2, contents], 402, pp. Thirty-four hand-colored aquatint plates. Extra engraved aquatint title page, vignettes and portrait. Bound ca. 1900 by Zaehsndorf - stamp-signed in gilt on front turn-in. Full dark blue crushed levant morocco, covers triple-ruled in gilt surrounding a blind-tooled rule. Spine with five raised bands decoratively ruled and lettered in gilt in compartments, double-ruled board edges, wide elaborate gilt turn-ins, cream watered silk liners and endleaves, all edges gilt. Spine very slightly faded, small chip on headband, otherwise near fine. "When Lockhart said of 'Nimrod' that he could 'hunt like Hugo Meynell and write like Walter Scott,' he was doubtless excited into exaggeration by the pleasure of having hit upon a man who could write of sport without the vulgarity of Egan..The Life of a Sportsman, published in 1842, contains a very pleasant account of country life in days when sport was no longer confused with debauchery; while its descriptions of runs to hounds, its lore of hunting and of four-in-hand driving, and its variety of incident and anecdote make it still both valuable and agreeable. Apperley, though not a Walter Scott, was a good writer; he knew his subject thoroughly, on both the scientific and the personal sides, and this work of fiction, though poor in plot, is rich in interest" (Cambridge History of English and American Literature, Volume XIV. The Victorian Age, Part Two. Ch. 15, Nimrod). Charles J. Apperley (1778-1843) "began writing for the Sporting Magazine. From his boyhood his ruling passions had been hunting, horse-riding, and horse management..Apperley's expert knowledge and social status made him an invaluable recruit to the sporting press of the time, and he may even be said to have created the role of gentleman hunting correspondent. Writing at first under various pseudonyms (Acastus, Eques, and A), he published his first article for the Sporting Magazine as Nimrod in January 1822 and he subsequently usually used that nom de plume. For five seasons, from 1824 to 1828, he was the magazine's official representative..Many of his articles were in serial form and were subsequently published as books, notably his Memoirs of the Life of John Mytton (1837) and The Life of a Sportsman (1842).. his ability and authority were unquestioned. He earned the respect of sportsmen everywhere not only for his skillful and fearless riding but also for the knowledge and judgment he displayed in his writings and for his unrivaled experience of the hunting world. As Nimrod he held a unique position in his day and left an imperishable memory in sporting history" (Oxford DNB). Podeschi 167. Siltzer, p. 73. Schwerdt I, p. 36. Tooley, 65. .

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Book number: 05097

Catalogue: Color-Plate Books

Keywords: NIMROD APPERLEY, Charles J. Caricatures Hunting Sports

ALKEN, Henry; EGERTON, Daniel Thomas

Melange of Humour, the

London: Printed by W. Lewis, 1835. Fifty Hand-Colored Plates Caricaturing the English Lifestyle of the 1820s [EGERTON, Daniel Thomas, and others]. The Melange of Humour; A Series of Fifty Coloured Engravings, Comprising a Great Variety of Comic Subjects, by The most Popular Artists of the Present Day. London: Printed by W. Lewis, [n.d. 1835]. First collected edition of this acclaimed series of humorous plates depicting the English and French lifestyle of the 1820s. Folio (14 1/16 x 10 1/4 inches; 358 x 260 mm.). Letterpress title and fifty hand-colored etched plates (including frontispiece). Most plates with tissue guards. Plates watermarked 1835, 1821, and 1822. Contemporary half maroon roan, ruled in gilt, over gray pebble-grain cloth boards. Spine decoratively tooled and lettered in gilt with three wide raised bands. All edges gilt. With the engraved book-plate of John M. Schiff on front paste-down. Early ink signature of Wm. Morrison dated 1840 on front free endpaper. Top and bottom of spine expertly repaired, inner joints neatly strengthened. An excellent example of a very rare and highly amusing book of caricatures. Rare: OCLC/KVK locate just three copies in libraries and institutions worldwide: Yale University Library (CT, US); Harvard University (MA,US) and University of Oxford Libraries (UK). The collection comprises: Six hand-colored aquatint plates [A Day's Journal of a Sponge] (London: Published by W. Egerton, 1824) captioned: "Was 'stirring with the lark,' bent on fixing myself for a month's sponge on a friend.."; "Feeling one of those pangs 'which flesh is heir to'.."; "Having returned, & hired a chaise, the only method of conveyance.."; "Former fears confirmed, by being driven, on my return, without orders into the Stable Yard.."; "Sauntering down Bond Street, in the evening, to 'Lose & neglect the creeping hours of time'.."; and "Being recovered from the effects of the last catastrophe, resolved on making one more effort, to gain a supper.." Twelve numbered hand-colored aquatint plates by Daniel Thomas Egerton originally published as The Necessary Qualifications of a Man of Fashion (London: Published by Thomas M'Lean, Repository of Wit & Humour, 1823). The plates are captioned: "Negligence," "Assurance," "Confidence," "Impudence," "Intemperance," "Indifference," "Unfeelingness," "Forgetfulness," "Selfishness," "Intrigue," "Eccentricity," and "Inconsistency." Hand-colored engraved title and twelve hand-colored aquatint plates (the first six plates are numbered) "Design'd & Etch'd by D.T. Egerton": "Fashionable Bores or Coolers in High Life by Peter Quiz" (London: Published by Thos. McLean, 1824); "The Silent Rebuke"; "The Leech"; "The Tables Turn'd"; "The Unfortunate Discovery"; "The Insolence of Office"; "The Trial of Nerves"; "Vis a Vis"; "The Unpleasant Rencontre"; "The Unwelcome Visit"; "The Disappointment"; "The Pressing Invitation"; and "The Finishing Bore." Abbey, Life, 287 and Colas 937 (with imprint of W. Sams). Six plates by Henry Alken "A Set of Six Plates on Horse Riding" (London: Published..by Thomas McLean, 1821): "Perfectly Satisfied," "Dissatisfied," "Delighted," "Surpris'd," "Displeas'd," and "Terrified." Thirteen hand-colored lithographed plates by Pigal and L. Boilly captioned: "Le petite famille" (L. Boilly); "Omnium Gatherum" (Pigal?); "This is mine Heir" (Pigal); "as it used to be" (Pigal); "Nasty Old Fellow you shan't" (Pigal); "Commissioners" (Pigal?); "View on the Pont Neuf" (Pigal?); "The Scratch" (Boilly?); "Phoo! Anglais Pah! Pish!" (Pigal); "Smokers" (L. Boilly); "La bonne petite soeur" (Boilly); The Defiance (Boilly); "Time has not thin'd our flowing hair Nor bent us with his Iron hand" (Pigal). Abbey, Life 287 & 289; Bobins 1319; Colas 937; Tooley, 203 & 204. .

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Book number: 05670

Catalogue: Color-Plate Books

Keywords: EGERTON, Daniel Thomas Caricatures Sports Horses

ALKEN, Henry, illustrator -- [APPERLEY, Charles James]; NIMROD; APPERLEY, C.J.

Memoirs of the Life of the Late John Mytton, Esq. Of Halston, Shropshire

London: Rudolph Ackermann, 1837. A Most Valuable and Important Book" Second and Enlarged Edition With Additional Text and Six Extra Hand-Colored Plates [ALKEN, Henry, illustrator]. NIMROD (pseud. of C.J. Apperley). Memoirs of the Life of the Late John Mytton, Esq. of Halston, Shropshire, Formerly M.P. for Shrewsbury, High sheriff for the Counties of Salup & Merioneth, and Major of the North Stropshire Yeomanry Cavalry. With Notices of His Hunting, Shooting, Driving, Racing, Eccentric and Extravagant Exploits By Nimrod. With Numerous Illustrations by H. Alken and T.J. Rawlins. London: Rudolph Ackermann, 1837. Second and enlarged edition, with additions to the text, six extra hand-colored plates and with three new plates replacing three from the first edition. Octavo (9 1/2 x 5 3/4 in; 241 x 146 mm). ix, [3], 206, [1, printer's slug], [1] pp. Additional engraved title in aquatint and eighteen hand-colored aquatint plates, including frontispiece, with tissue guards. Publisher's original pictorially gilt green cloth, expertly recased. All edges gilt. With the ownership stamp of William K. Dick of Islip, Long Island (NY) to front pastedown endpaper. Some rubbing, a few bubbles to upper board cloth, soiling to endpapers. Hinges starting yet remain firm. Withal, a very good copy. Housed in a full crimson hard-grained morocco pull-off case by the Scroll Club Bindery of New York City. "A most valuable and important book for the sporting life of the period, aptly described by Newton as 'a biography of a man that reads like a work of fiction'" (Tooley). "This is not a work of fiction, for John Mytton, a rather inglorious character for a biography, was a hard-living, hard-drinking country squire of Halston, Shropshire, capable of the utmost physical endurance, and ready to accept any wager to walk, shoot or ride against any man. Many of his feats are recorded and graphically delineated, including the climax of his folly in setting his nightshirt on fire to cure a hiccough (Martin Hardie). The Plates: 1. Well done, Neck or Nothing.. 2. A Nick, or the nearest way home. 3. Wild Duck Shooting. 4. What! Never upset in a gig? 5. I wonder whether he is a good timber jumper! 6. The Meet with Lord Derby's Stag Hounds. 7. Stand and deliver. 8. Tally ho! Tally ho!.. 9. The Oaks Filly. 10. Light come, light go. 11. On Baronet clears nine yards of water. 12. D--n this hiccup! 13. A h-ll of a row in a hell.. 14. Swims the Severn at Uppington Ferry. 15. How to cross a country comfortably after dinner. 16. Heron shooting.. 17. A Squire trap, by Jove! 18. Now for the honour of Shropshire. At his death, industrialist and banker William K. Dick (1888-1953) was a director of Best Foods, Inc. president and director of the Dick Securities Corporation; and a director of Douglas Gibbons & Co. Inc.; the Eastern States Corporation; the Irving Trust Company, the National Sugar Refining Company, the Norwood and St. Lawrence Railroad, the St. Regis Paper Company, St. Regis Company, Ltd. of Canada, and the St. Regis Timber Company. His clubs included the Brook, Racquet and Tennis, Southside, National Golf Links, New York Yacht, and the Turf and Field. Tooley 67. Schwerdt 1, p. 38. Abbey, Life, 385. Martin Hardie, pp. 185-186. Prideaux, p. 326. .

David Brass Rare Books (ABAA/ILAB)Professional seller

Book number: 02540

Catalogue: Color-Plate Books

Keywords: NIMROD APPERLEY, C.J Biography Hunting Sports

ALKEN, Henry, illustrator -- [APPERLEY, Charles James] NIMROD; APPERLEY, C.J.

Memoirs of the Life of the Late John Mytton, Esq

London: Rudolph Ackermann, 1851. A Desirable Item" "A Most Valuable and Important Book" Third and Best Edition With Memoir of Nimrod [ALKEN, Henry, illustrator]. APPERLEY, C.J. Memoirs of the Life of the Late John Mytton, Esq. of Halston, Shropshire, Formerly M.P. for Shrewsbury, High sheriff for the Counties of Salup & Merioneth, and Major of the North Stropshire Yeomanry Cavalry. With Notices of His Hunting, Shooting, Driving, Racing, Eccentric and Extravagant Exploits By Nimrod. With Numerous Illustrations by H. Alken and T.J. Rawlins. Third Edition, With a Brief Memoir of Nimrod by the Author of "Handley Cross" [i.e. Robert S. Surtees]. London: Rudolph Ackermann, 1851. Third edition, the first to contain the Memoir of Nimrod by Surtees and complete with the additional text and plates from the second edition of 1837, third issue (with extra title, title, and plates dated 1851) in 1850 issue binding (with "Ackermann" at spine foot). Octavo (9 1/4 x 5 3/4 in; 235 x 146 mm). ix, [1], 218, [8, catalog] pp. Extra engraved title with plain aquatint vignette, and eighteen hand-colored aquatint plates including frontispiece, with tissue guards. Publisher's original pictorially gilt cloth with blindstamped border to upper board, vignette blocked in blind to lower. All edges gilt. Westley's of London ticket on rear paste-down. Spine ends expertly strengthened. An excellent copy. Housed in a quarter green morocco clamshell case. "This Third Edition is a desirable item to add to any collection as it is the first to contain the Life of Nimrod. Published at 25s, 'handsomely bound in cloth' (Tooley) "A most valuable and important book for the sporting life of the period, aptly described by Newton as 'a biography of a man that reads like a work of fiction'" (Tooley). "This is not a work of fiction, for John Mytton, a rather inglorious character for a biography, was a hard-living, hard-drinking country squire of Halston, Shropshire, capable of the utmost physical endurance, and ready to accept any wager to walk, shoot or ride against any man. Many of his feats are recorded and graphically delineated, including the climax of his folly in setting his nightshirt on fire to cure a hiccough (Martin Hardie). The Plates: 1. Well done, Neck or Nothing.. 2. A Nick, or the nearest way home. 3. Wild Duck Shooting. 4. What! Never upset in a gig? 5. I wonder whether he is a good timber jumper! 6. The Meet with Lord Derby's Stag Hounds. 7. Stand and deliver. 8. Tally ho! Tally ho!.. 9. The Oaks Filly. 10. Light come, light go. 11. On Baronet clears nine yards of water. 12. D--n this hiccup! 13. A h-ll of a row in a hell.. 14. Swims the Severn at Uppington Ferry. 15. How to cross a country comfortably after dinner. 16. Heron shooting.. 17. A Squire trap, by Jove! 18. Now for the honour of Stropshire. Tooley 68. Schwerdt 1, p. 39. Abbey, Life, 385 (2d ed.). Martin Hardie, pp. 185-186. Prideaux, p. 326. .

David Brass Rare Books (ABAA/ILAB)Professional seller

Book number: 02541

Catalogue: Color-Plate Books

Keywords: NIMROD APPERLEY, C.J. English History Nineteenth-Century Literature