Beschreibung:

HOLBEIN, Hans. Imitations of Original Drawings by Hans Holbein in the Collection of his majesty, for the illustrious persons of the Court of Henry VIII. With biographical tracts [by Edmund Lodge]. Published by John Chamberlaine . London: W.Bulmer and Co., 1792-[1801]. 2 volumes, large 2° (540 x 410mm). Printed title, dedication, advertisement and list of portraits, 67pp text, 84 stipple-engraved portraits on 83 leaves, on white and pink paper, printed in colours, by Bartolozzi, Metz and Knight after Holbein, 83 of the plates with additional uncoloured states, and a further 8 untitled plates each in two uncoloured states, TOGETHER 183 PLATES (6 lightly spotted, 74 plates, the majority uncoloured states, trimmed to plate-mark and mounted). Red morocco gilt, covers with elaborate gilt borders incorporating scallop shell and thistle motifs, spine gilt in six sections, green morocco title labels, gilt inner dentelles, g.e. by J.Wright (rebacked, old spines neatly laid down). A fine copy of the first edition, rarely found with so many of the portraits in two states. cf. Abbey Life 205; Ray English 19 'This magnificent work is surely the finest example of English color printing'. In this copy of the 84 coloured plates, 41 are on white paper, 43 pink paper, 3 are trimmed and mounted and 2 are before titles. Of the 83 uncoloured states of these plates, 44 are on white paper, 3 on pink and 36 on beige or oatmeal coloured paper, of which 63 are trimmed and mounted. Of the uncoloured states 7 are proof states before titles and 16 are before letters and are on oatmeal coloured paper. The 8 additional plates, each in two uncoloured states, comprise portraits of seven gentleman and a lady, all are without letters, four of the states have marginal pencil notes 'finished proof', 7 are mounted. One additional plate is bound in the early part of volume one, the remainder at the end of volume two. (2)