Beschreibung:

HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON (1840-1921) was a prolific and popular poet and essayist with a particular interest in the art and manners of 18th century England and France. This lot comprises Dobson's own copies of his works, with additions from the collections of his son, Alban Dobson (1885-1962), and his grandson, Christopher Dobson (1916-2005). It includes over 200 printed volumes, many bearing Dobson's bookplate and/or book label, as well as a significant amount of manuscript material, including letters to and from the author, albums of cuttings and illustrations, original artwork by illustrators with whom Dobson collaborated, and photographs and artifacts belonging to the poet and his family. Many of the printed volumes include extensive annotations by Dobson and/or Alban/Christopher Dobson. The whole is a fascinating and comprehensive archive offering valuable insights into late Victorian literary life, and into the publishing practices of the day. The collection includes: (i) A landscape-format album (173 x 125mm; morocco-backed cloth boards) of Dobson's youthful sketches, including a fine wash self-portrait dated April 8 t h '63, pencil portraits of various relatives, and ornamental designs and lettering. Dobson was a gifted draughtsman and this album dates from the early 1860s, when he was studying art in South Kensington. (ii) A bound album of Dobson's contributions to Saint Paul's magazine (various issues: March 1868-September 1873), including wrappers; the rare pamphlet 'The Drama of the Doctor's Window: A Brief Statement Concerning that Poem Since Its Appearance in 'St. Paul's Magazine' (8°; without wrappers); and various offprints and ephemera relating to the publication of Dobson's first book of verse, Vignettes in Rhyme . Dobson first came to the public's attention through his contributions to Saint Paul's magazine, and he dedicated Vignettes in Rhyme to the its editor, Anthony Trollope. (iii) DOBSON, Austin. Vignettes in Verse . London: Henry S. King, 1873. 8°. Pebbled cloth. The page proofs for Dobson's first collection of verse, retitled for publication Vignettes in Rhyme , with extensive annotations by the author. (iv) HORATIUS FLACCUS, Quintus. Poemata omnia . [Venice: Aldine Press, November 1519]. 8°. Woodcut device on title (lacks blank A8 and all after l5, i.e. contains only the text of Horace, repaired worming in blank lower margins of first gathering, a little spotting and waterstaining). Polished calf gilt by F. & T. Aitken, gilt edges, green morocco labels on spine (a trifle rubbed). Presented to Austin Dobson by ANDREW LANG, inscribed on an endpaper 'Austin Dobson from A.L. 1879'. Adams H864; Renouard 88.10. HORATIUS FLACCUS, Quintus. [ Carmina ], edited by Daniel Heinsius. Leiden: Elzevir, 1629. Part I (of 3) only, 12°. Engraved title (a short copy affecting a few headlines and text at foremargins at the end, a few stains). 18th-century red morocco gilt, gilt edges (slightly worn). As above, but with inscription 'To Austin Dobson. The Bard was short to outward view,/And "short", - to match -, this copy too,/But, being Horace, still he's dear,/And still, - though cropped -, an Elzevir! A. Lang'. Willems 314. (v) DOBSON, Austin. Vignettes in Rhyme and Other Verses . New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1880. -- At the Sign of the Lyre . New York: Henry Holt and Company, 1885. Both 4° (179 x 125mm). Uniformly bound in dark brown morocco by Zaehnsdorf. (vi) DOBSON, Austin. The Sun Dial: A Poem . New York: Dodd Mead & Company, 1890. 4° (296 x 217mm), with ten full-page plates and other illustrations by George Wharton Edwards Full vellum gilt. NUMBER 49 OF 50 COPIES ON JAPAN PAPER. (vii) DOBSON, Austin. William Hogarth . London: Sampson Low, Marston and Company, 1891. 4° (255 x 192mm), vellum-backed boards. LARGE PAPER COPY, number 5 of 150 copies, signed by the author. With copies of the 1891 trade edition, the 1898 Kegan, Paul, Trench & Co edition and the 1907 Heinemann enlarged edition (all worn and ma