Sturt John Fully Engraved Book (1 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. pp. (9), 82. 12mo. in 6. [191 x 118 mm]. Fully engraved text on ninety-one plates, each with an illustration or large vignette. The handsomely decorated borders to each page appear to have been engraved and impressed separately. Full contemporary sombre black morocco binding; joints slightly worn. All edges gold. ** The Duke of Sussex's copy, with his engraved bookplate (Augustus Frederick, Prince, Duke of Sussex, 1773-1843); and with the additional ownerships of Henry White and Robert James Sells. From the Library of Edwin Wolf II. The text itself is ascribed to Laurence Howell (1664?-1720) by Halkett & Laing, but the greatest interest in this book comes from its engraved typography and decorations. John Sturt (1658-1730), was apprenticed at the age of 17 to Robert White, in whose manner he engraved a number of small portraits as frontispieces to several books. Becoming associated with John Ayres, he engraved the most important of that writing-master's books on calligraphy, and acquired celebrity for his skill in such work. The amazing skill of his engraving artistry still astonishes us. This work is probably somewhat scarcer than Sturt's more famous "Book of Common Prayer", especially in this (first?) state with single cherubs blowing horns at each side of the border of p. IX. Though some copies do have a list "Subscribers" pp. [83]-[85] - none is present here, nor does one seem to have ever been bound in the book. Maybe Sussex had some objection to some on the list? ESTC 19687. A remarkable feat of bookmaking. RARE FULLY ENGRAVED BOOK. **PRICE JUST REDUCED! W140. Language: eng.