ANNUITY

Not only an interesting item of sigillography, but also a nice item relating to Victorian philanthropy. Eight red wax seals and two black, of varying sizes. Laid down in three rows on reverse of 15 x 11 cm card, tastefully printed in blue, red and gold, with facsimile of the signature of the Secretary, S. J. Aldrich. Originally ten seals were present, those that remain in good condition, most with good impressions of crests.

Pye was an active figure in nineteenth-century British art. According to his entry in the Oxford DNB he was the engravers’ ‘best spokesman’, hoping ‘to raise the fortunes, status, and public profile of engravers by means of professional association and co-operation’. He was the author of a number of works, including 'Patronage of British Art' (1845). His collection of prints after Turner was acquired by the British Museum in 1869, and the proofs of Turner's ‘Liber Studiorum’ followed in 1870. His notebooks are in British Library.

4pp., 4to. Bifolium. In fair condition, on aged paper, with closed tears along a central vertical fold. The first three pages carry 32 numbered rules, on the topics: Titles; Design; Management; Membership; Subscriptions; Benefits; Repayments; Funds; Disputes; Alteration of Rules; General. The last page carries three tables (first two regarding 'Ministers' and last on 'Widows & Orphans'), headed 'Schedule of Subscriptions and Payments'. Scarce: no copy located on COPAC or OCLC WorldCat. The Times of 12 October 1875 carries a report of the passing of the resolution by 'Rev. Mr.