PRINTSELLER

[Heinz Berggruen, German and American art dealer, with a renowned private collection of twentieth century masters.] Typed Letter Signed to London printseller Robert Erskine, regarding prints he has ‘set aside’ for him.

Author: 
Heinz Berggruen (1914-2007), German and American art dealer, with a renowned private collection of twentieth-century masters [Robert Erskine, London printseller]
Publication details: 
10 May 1954; Paris. On letterhead of Berggruen & Cie, ‘gravures originales modernes’.
£56.00

Berggruen was awarded the French Legion of Honour and the German Order of Merit. Among those attending his funeral were German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Horst Köhler. One of his sons is the US billionaire investor and philanthropist Nicholas Berggruen. In the year this letter was sent Erskine opened his influential St Georges Gallery Prints off Cork Street. 1p, 12mo. In fair condition, but with slight damage and creasing at the centre of the right-hand margin. Highly stylized signature, ‘Heinz Berggruen’. Folded once for postage. Reads: ‘Dear Mr.

[Ben Weinreb, London bookseller and editor of ‘The London Encyclopedia’.] Autograph Note Signed [to fellow bookseller Andrew Block] on attractive printed invitation card for the opening of the new ‘Weinreb + Douwma’ print and map shop.

Author: 
Ben Weinreb (1912-1999), London bookseller and authority on architecture, first editor of ‘The London Encyclopedia’ [Robert Douwma, printseller; Andrew Block, bookseller]
Weinreb
Publication details: 
Invitation to shop opening, 26 January 1970; 93 Great Russell Street, London WC1.
£45.00
Weinreb

See Nicolas Barker’s appreciative obituary in the Independent, 7 April 1999, which notes that after selling his entire stock to the University of Texas in 1968, ‘He moved his business to the other side of Great Russell Street, and briefly opened another shop, selling prints in partnership with Rob Douwma.’ (The British Museum website states that ‘Weinreb & Douwma was on the corner of Great Russell Street and Bloomsbury Way during the 1970s and 1980s.’) The obituary of the recipient Andrew Block (1892-1987) in ‘The Private Library’ was subtitled ‘the doyen of booksellers’; his business w

[William Wadd, surgeon-extraordinary to George IV and medical author.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Wm. Wadd') to 'Henry Dewey' [in fact the Yarmouth physician Henry Davey], regarding his 'Universal' print collection and 'Nugae Chirurgicae'.

Author: 
William Wadd (1776-1829), surgeon-extraordinary to George IV and medical author [Henry William Robert Davey of Yarmouth]
Publication details: 
Park Place [London]; 24 April 1825.
£400.00

4pp, 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to reverse of second leaf, which is addressed by Wadd, with his seal in red wax (the breaking of which has caused slight loss to a couple of words), to 'Henry Dewey Esqr | Surgeon | King Street | Yarmouth | Norfolk'. The recipient is in fact the surgeon Henry William Robert Davey (1798-1870) of Yarmouth, son of surgeon Henry Sallows Davey (1781-1855) of Beccles. An interesting letter, casting light on print and autograph collecting in Georgian London.

[ 'Promise to pay to Ignorance, Hypocrisy & Fanaticism, Methodist Preachers'. ] Satirical engraving of a bank note, undertaking to pay five farthings 'when Methodism shall have been done away'.

Author: 
John Luffman, London printseller [ Georgian methodism ]
Publication details: 
'Sold by Luffman, 377, Strand'.. Dated from London, 1 September 1810.
£120.00

Printed in black ink on a 9 x 16.5 cm. piece of paper. A scarce piece of ephemera. Grubby, aged and worn. Laid down on part of a page from an album. A pastiche of a Georgian banknote, the main body of the text reading: 'No. 24 . . . . | Promise to pay to Ignorance, Hypocrisy & Fanaticism, Methodist Preachers, or Bearer FIVE Farthings, when Methodism shall have been done away with by the Pious exertions of the established Clergy, and when Iohn Bull's Family shall be no longer scared by the tale of the Devil let loose. | London the 1st. day of Septr 1810.

[ Victorian bookseller's catalogue. ] Catalogue of Books & Portraits, comprising Miscellaneous, Theatrical, Old Newspapers, Views of Theatres, London, Trials, Collections, &c. &c.

Author: 
F. Kornman, Book and Printseller, 168 High Holborn, London, W.C.
Publication details: 
On sale by F. Kornman, Book and Printseller, 168 High Holborn, London, W.C. (Nearly opposite the end of Drury Lane.) No. 9. 1888.
£65.00

8pp., 12mo. Stapled. Heavily aged and worn. A trim little catalogue, with 158 books described on the first seven pages, and the last page devoted to prints. Beneath the drophead title: 'Post Office Orders to be made payable at High Holborn. | No books or prints sent on approval.

[ John Shury, London engraver. ] Engraved moving circular wheel on backing, titled 'A Circular Table, to find all the Moveable Sundays in the Year.'

Author: 
John Shury, engraver in Georgian London [ Thomas Tegg (1776-1845), London publisher and printseller ]
Publication details: 
'J. Shury Sc. | London, Published by Thomas Tegg, 73, Cheapside, July, 1, 1828.'
£120.00

An attractive and unusual item, and extremely scarce: no copies recorded on either OCLC WorldCat or COPAC. Engraved print in shape 11 cm diameter circle, carrying text and numeration, attached to printed 8vo leaf and superimposed on matching circular print with months and further numeration, to make a calculation tool. At head of page, beneath title and above wheel: 'To find the SUNDAYS that depend on EASTER day.

[The eighteenth-century London print trade.] Autograph Receipt Signed ('Robt. Dunkarton') from engraver Robert Dunkarton to the printseller John Boydell.

Author: 
Robert Dunkarton, (c.1744–1811 or 1817), English engraver and portrait painter [John Boydell (1720-1804), printseller and Lord Mayor of London]
Publication details: 
[London.] 23 August 1783.
£90.00

On 4 x 14.5 cm slip of paper. In fair condition, placed in a windowpane frame, on leaf removed from album. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, in creased mount. Reads: 'Augst. 23: 1783 Recd. of Mr Boydell Twelve Pound's [sic] on Account | Robt. Dunkarton | £12: 0: 0'. On the reverse is a receipt signed by a 'Jno Harley'. For more information about Dunkarton and Boydell, see their entries in the Oxford DNB.

'The Chinese Bridge & Pagoda, | Erected in the Park, in commemoration of the Glorious Peace of 1814.' [Handcoloured engraving by John Heaviside Clark from Matthew Dubourg.]

Author: 
Matthew Dubourg (fl.1786-1838), artist; John Heaviside Clark (c.1771-1836), Scottish engraver; Edward Orme (1775-1848), London printseller [Chinese bridge and pagoda, St James's Park, London, 1814]
Publication details: 
'Published and Sold Augt. 12th. 1814, by EDWD. ORME, Publisher to his Majesty and H.R.H. the Prince Regent, Bond Street (corner of Brook Str.) London.'
£45.00

In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with discoloration to the reverse showing through slightly at corners. Dimensions: paper 23 x 32 cm; plate 20 x 30 cm; image 15 x 23 cm.

[Samuel Cousins, engraver.] Autograph Note Signed ('Saml: Cousins.') to the London printseller Martin Colnaghi, sending sixty proofs of his 'plate of "Miss Macdonald"'.

Author: 
Samuel Cousins (1801-1887), English engraver [Martin Colnaghi, London printseller]
Publication details: 
Without place or date [1830].
£65.00

On 8 x 17cm piece of paper. In good condition, on aged paper, with small spike hole. Reads: 'To Martin Colnaghi Esqre | Sir | I have the pleasure to send you 60 Proofs from my plate of "Miss Macdonald," 30 of which number are before the Publication. | Saml: Cousins.' Docketted on reverse 'S. Cousins.' Cousins's engraving of Miss Julia Macdonald, from a portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence, was published in 1830.

[Edward Smith, engraver.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Edwd. Smith') to the London book and print seller John Martin, stating his terms for engraving 'the Game Keeper after W. Hunt'.

Author: 
Edward Smith (c.1780-c.1849), Scottish engraver, based in London [John Martin, bookseller, and printseller, of the London firm of Rodwell & Martin]
Publication details: 
3 College Street, Camden Town. 28 March 1831.
£150.00

1p., 4to. In very good condition, neatly placed within a windowpane mount. Addressed at head to 'Mr. John Martin'. Laying out, in detail, the 'Terms on which I agree to engrave the Game Keeper after W. Hunt'. The terms are described over twelve lines, beginning: 'The Engraving to be 7 by 5 inches in my best manner, the charge to be seventy Guineas, one third to be paid on the Etching, the remainder on delivery of the work, which I undertake to do in about four months.'

[John Raphael Smith, mezzotint engraver and publisher.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J. R. Smith') to the architectural writer James Elmes, informing him of the progress of a work and that he is sending two proof plates. Carrying 3 signed notes by Elmes

Author: 
John Raphael Smith (bap. 1751, d. 1812), mezzotint engraver and print publisher [James Elmes (1782-1862), writer on architecture]
Publication details: 
'Newman Street. 33. [London]'. 17 June 1811.
£120.00

1p., 4to. Bifolium. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'James Elmes Esqre.' At the head of the letter Elmes has written: 'From J. Raphael Smith the celebrated mezzotinto Engraver | J Elmes', and down the bottom right-hand corner: 'From J. Raphael Smith, Painter in Crayons & Mezzotinto Engraver to Mr Elmes, with 2 proof prints | J. E'. At the foot of the page Elmes has identified 'Mr. Tooke' in the letter as 'Horne Tooke J.E.' Smith writes: 'Sir | I have sent you an impression of Sr.

Four engraved caricatures on a single sheet, published by the Regency publisher and printseller Thomas McLean, whose London shop was next to the Haymarket Theatre, and possibly depicting theatrical characters.

Author: 
Thomas McLean (1788-1875), publisher and printseller, 26 Haymarket (next door to the Haymarket Theatre), established 1811
Publication details: 
London: Thomas McLean, 26 Haymarket. 1824
£180.00

The sheet is 38 x 27.5cm; and the dimensions of the plate are34 x 25cm. At foot of plate: 'London, Published by Thos. Mc.Lean, 26 Haymarket, 1824.' The engravings, each 11 x 8cm., are arranged in two rows of two. In good condition, lightly-aged and with a torn pin hole at head, presumably where the print was torn from its string. Moving clockwise from top left, the prints are as follows.

[Catalogue by the London bookseller Francis Edwards, titled] How England saved Europe. Catalogue of Books, Engravings and Autographs relating to Napoleon the First and the wars in which he was engaged, 1793-1815.

Author: 
[Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of the French; Francis Edwards, London bookseller, printseller and dealer in autographs]
Publication details: 
'Offered for sale by Francis Edwards, Bookseller, Printseller and Dealer in Autographs, 83, High Street, Marylebone, London, W.' March1917.
£140.00

46pp., 12mo. In original printed wraps, with the last two pages of the catalogue on the back cover. 704 priced items, with descriptions. Reproduction of no. 612 (mezzotint of Napoleon by Charles Turner from J. J. Masquerier) on front cover. In fair condition, on aged paper, in aged and worn wraps, with occasional pencil markings in margins. An important catalogue, issued in part to make a point during the Great War.

Autograph Letter Signed ('S. Prout') from the painter Samuel Prout to the Secretary of the Athenaeum, Edward Magrath, an abject letter, describing his 'woeful plight' and complaining that he is 'out of mind'.

Author: 
Samuel Prout (1783-1852), English watercolour artist [Edward Magrath (1799-1856), Secretary, Athenaeum, Pall Mall; Dominic Charles Colnaghi (1790-1879), London printseller]
Publication details: 
Bedford Terrace, Clapham Rise. Postmarked 29 April 1836.
£220.00

2pp., 4to. 29 lines of text. Bifolium. In very good condition, on lightly-aged mourning paper, with broken black wax seal. Reverse of second leaf addressed to 'E Magrath Esq | Athenaeum | Pall Mall'. The letter begins: 'Yes, Truth, (as you say) is better than a thousand apologies. | From the Evng I was last in town (when I met your respected & kind friend Mr. J.

Coloured lithographic dioramic print, captioned 'Spooner's Protean Views, No. 8. St. George's Chapel Windsor Castle. In which the scene changes to the splendid ceremony of the interment of King William the Fourth'.

Author: 
William Spooner, printseller, 377 Strand [diorama; dioramic print; King William IV; St George's Chapel, Windsor]
Publication details: 
Undated [circa 1837]. 'London W. Spooner 377 Strand'.
£150.00

Dimensions of print roughly 17.5 x 13.5 cm. On original grey paper windowpane mount (28 x 23 cm). Engraved label (2.5 x 11 cm) beneath the print, with a couple of remarque-style illustrations. The print itself is good, although a little aged and spotted; the margins and mount being rather more heavily affected. Attractive and unusual item, the image changing when held up to the light. Two soldiers are shown dwarfed by the high ceiling of the chapel, which is decked with brightly-coloured flags. When held to the light the chapel is filled with the mourning congregation. Scarce.

Catalogue of Engravings, Etchings by the Best Masters, Including Mezzotint and Other Portraits [...] Views of Oxford by Loggan, Vertue, Burke and Turner.

Author: 
John Chaundy, printseller and picture dealer [Ye Olde Picture Shoppe, 49 Broad Street, Oxford]
Publication details: 
[1860s?] On sale At Ye Olde Picture Shoppe (Opposite the Sheldonian Theatre), 49, Broad Street, Oxford, by John Chaundy, Carver, Gilder, Picture Framer and Herald Painter. [Dryden Press: J. Davy & Sons, 137, Long Acre, London, W.C.]
£300.00

12mo, 61 pp. In original brown printed wraps. Engraving of Sheldonian Theatre on front, otherwise the item is not illustrated. 2864 items, ranging from '1 AARON, Rev. born 1695, engraved by Vertue. 5s 6d' to '2864 Zonelli (Anton. Maria) after Joan. Anton. Faldoni, Man blowing Horn, with hounds. 5s'. Fair, on aged paper, with a few leaves dogeared, in worn wraps chipped at extremities, and with 4.5 cm closed tear at foot of spine. Presentation inscription at head of front wrap: 'R. G. Bartelot. from Fredk. Bennett'.

Autograph Signatures of Colburn, Shee, North and Colnaghi, removed from Artists' Benevolent Fund application.

Author: 
Henry Colburn (1784-1855), bookseller and publisher; Sir Martin Arthur Shee (1769-1850), President of the Royal Academy; Peter North; Dominic Colnaghi (1790-1879), printseller
Publication details: 
1841
£28.00

On one side of a piece of paper roughly 8 x 12.5 cm. Good, lightly aged. Reads ' Henry Colburn | 13 Gt Marlborough Street | Martin Arthur Shee | Peter North 22 Soho Square | Dominic Colnaghi'. Fragment of docketed manuscript record of the case on the reverse: '<...> 830 | <...>nes O'Connor | <...>ent Case | <...>y 12th. 1841'.

Original steel engraving, drawn by G. F. Sargent and engraved by G. Greatbach, captioned 'City of New York'.

Author: 
William Rae McPhun, Glasgow printseller and bookseller; G. F. Sargent; George Greatbach, London engraver [New York; prints; engravings; maps]
Publication details: 
[1850s?] 'W. R. McPhun & Son. Publishers, Glasgow.'
£56.00

Dimensions of print 12.5 x 19.5 cm. On paper 16 x 24.5 cm. Good clean impression, with six or seven spots of foxing in the margin and a little wear in the bottom left-hand copy. Striking detailed view of the city with sailboats and steamships in the harbour, and the major buildings and layout of the streets clearly portrayed, with the environs in the distance. Scarce: there is little information to be gleaned concerning this print.

Original steel engraving, drawn by G. F. Sargent and engraved by G. Greatbach, captioned 'City of New York'.

Author: 
William Rae McPhun, Glasgow printseller and bookseller; G. F. Sargent; George Greatbach, London engraver [New York; prints; engravings; maps]
Publication details: 
[1850s] 'W. R. McPhun & Son. Publishers, Glasgow.'
£56.00

Dimensions of print 12.5 x 19.5 cm. On paper 16 x 24.5 cm. Good clean impression, with six or seven spots of foxing in the margin and a little wear in the bottom left-hand copy. Striking detailed view of the city with sailboats and steamships in the harbour, and the major buildings and layout of the streets clearly portrayed, with the environs in the distance. Scarce: there is little information to be gleaned concerning this print.

Five hand-coloured prints of French actors performing in French and Italian plays at the Comédie Française in the eighteenth century.

Author: 
Robert Sayer of Fleet Street, London printseller [theatrical prints; Comédie Française; Bellecour; Marie Favart, Trial, Clerval; Laurette]
Publication details: 
All five prints 'Publish'd by Robt. Sayer, No. 53 Fleet Street London, as the Act directs, 1st. Septr. 1772.'
£200.00

Each of the five on a piece of good laid paper, roughly 15 cm square. Wide margins, with indentation of plate 9.5 x 8 cm. All five good, with occasional light creasing to margins. The second and third items more aged that the others, but all good and suitable for framing. Delicately engraved and skillfully coloured. Item One: 'Mr. Bellecour. 3 Comed. Franc. Le Joueur. dans la Comédie du même nom.' Item Two: '19 Comed. Franc. Michau et Henri. dans la Partie de Chasse d'Henri IV. Qu'êtes-vous? allons, qu'êtes-vous?' Item Three: 'Made. Favart. 22 Coméd. Ital. La Vieille.

Coloured lithographic dioramic print, captioned 'Dawson's Diorama No. 1. The Emperor Napoleon in Captivity at Elba, changing to his reception by the Army whom he walked up to with these words "If there be among you a Soldier [...] Here I am!'

Author: 
T. Dawson, London printseller [Napoleon Bonaparte; diorama; dioramic print]
Publication details: 
Undated [circa 1838]. 'London: Published by T. Dawson, 29, Bedford St. Covent Garden.'
£300.00

The caption ends '[...] a Soldier who desires to kill his General let him do it now. Here I am!' Dimensions of print roughly 13 x 17 cm. On original grey paper windowpane mount (22 x 27.5 cm). Engraved label (4 x 12.5 cm) beneath the print, with small remarque-style illustrations. Aged and spotted, with slight wear to the print. An unusual and attractive piece of Napoleonic iconography, a full-length image of the deposed Emperor of the French, characteristically attired, on a beach with his hand on a rock, looking out to a sunset at sea.

Handcoloured engraving, 'Etched by W Heath', 'From a Sketch by Paul <Sevinre?>', of 'Alexander Emperor of Russia'.

Author: 
William Heath, engraver; Richard Lambe, printseller, Gracechurch Street, London [Alexander I, Emperor of Russia]
Publication details: 
Undated [circa 1814?]. 'Published by R. Lambe, Gracechurch Street.'
£250.00

305 mm high and 225 mm wide. The print has been trimmed, with the top corners cut away to give the print the appearance of an arched window. A strip, 35 mm high, at the foot contains the caption, with the bottom right-hand corner damaged (not affecting print) by removal from backing. A good crisp impression, on lightly-aged paper, the only faults being loss to the sky above the Emperor as a result of the trimming of the top corners, and a couple of spots of glue to the sky.

Autograph Letter Signed to William Smith, bookseller and printseller, 24 Lisle Street, Leicester Square, London.

Author: 
Sir Cuthbert Sharp (1781-1849), historian of Hartlepool
Publication details: 
18 November 1826; Sunderland.
£50.00

12mo bifolium: 2 pp. On laid paper, with strip from previous mount in right-hand margin of recto of first leaf. Good, with a little wear at gutter, and slight damage (not affecting text) to second leaf from breaking open of red wax seal, parts of which still adhere. Twenty-two lines of text, clear and entire. Smith's uncle 'Mr ' is 'very glad to hear that you are well & desires to be remembered'. Asks if Smith has 'ever found me a portrait of Sr yet'.

Autograph Letter in the third person to the London printseller James Caulfield (1764-1826).

Author: 
Thomas Coutts (1735-1822), London banker of Scottish extraction [Coutts & Co.]
Publication details: 
23 January 1817; Strand.
£38.00

12mo: 1 p. Somewjhhat grubby, but with text clear and entire. Caulfield 'has been misled in supposing Mr Coutts is inclined to collect Hogarth's or any other pictures as he has hardly ever had any taste or inclination for that Line.'

A Catalogue of Engraved Portraits, English and foreign, together with a Collection of Miscellaneous Prints, the greatest portion accompanied with concise biographical and descriptive notices. Part V. London.

Author: 
A. Nicholls, London printseller ('Upwards of 25 years Assistant to Messrs. Evans of 1, Great Queen Street, and 403, Strand.') [prints; engravings]
Publication details: 
London: A. Nicholls, 5 Green Street, Leicester Square, W.C. [no date, but post 1848] ['A. Munro, Printer, New Yard, Great Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields.']
£85.00

Octavo: 16 pp. Stitched and unbound. Grubby and a tad creased. Items, in alphabetical order from H (beginning with the Earl of Hardwick) to J (ending with Dorothy Jordan), with a few miscellaneous items on the last page, numbered 3002 to 3837. Interesting for the information it provides about minor English celebrities ('3651 JACKSON, Joseph, letter founder, nat. Old-street, 1733, res. Cock-lane and Dorset-street, London, ob.

Autograph Signatures on fragment of document.

Author: 
Paul Dominic Colnaghi, Samuel Carter Hall
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£15.00

Colnaghi was a member of the notable family of English printsellers. Hall (1800-89) was an author and editor. Paper dimensions roughly five inches by three inches. Good. From a collection of material relating to the Artists' General Benevolent Fund. Reads '<...> Paul Dominic Colnaghi Esq | | S. C. Hall. | '.

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