Anecdotes of Painting in England. AND: A Catalogue of Engravers. Strawberry Hill: 1762-1771 [but 1780] & 1763. 5 volumes. 4to (232 x 180 mm). With 100 engraved plates in first work and 9 plates in the second, original tissue guards. Uniform period tree calf, spines gilt-ruled with red morocco lettering-pieces and oval numbering-pieces. Occasional trifling spots or toned leaves but exceptionally fine. Provenance: Sir James Colquhoun of Luss (armorial bookplates and ALS of Walpole tipped in). SUPERB SET OF WALPOLE'S ANECDOTES OF PAINTING, THE MAJOR WORK OF THE STRAWBERRY HILL PRESS with a bibliographically illuminating AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED bound in to vol 4. It appears that this set remained in the family of the original owner, Sir James Colquhoun, for over 200 years until finally sold off in the mid 1980s. They are in astonishing, completely original condition. Moreover, the fourth volume contains a fine 1 1/4 page ALS from Walpole dated November 25, 1790, to the original owner (with additional autograph note signed to his relative transmitting this letter) which sheds light on the publishing history of this work. It appears that Colquhoun had trouble completing his edition and wrote to Walpole for assistance. Ever obliging, Walpole sent him an unbound fourth volume from his own store. Indeed Hazen informs us that the edition sold out and was quickly marked up (Walpole later complained at having to buy back a copy for his own use at an inflated price). However, in the present letter Walpole admits that, "A rascally bookseller to whom I entrusted the publication of my 4th volume of the Anecdotes of Painting, would part with but very few, tho pretending to me that he had sold many; till he stamped an imaginary value on them by saying he had scarce any left, & then sold them for four times more than they were worth. Thus many persons were prevented from compleating their sets; and compleat sets have been sold for such ridiculous prices, that I have since published a cheap edition without prints, for the use of Artists, & to hinder anybody from paying extravagantly if they do not chuse it." Hazen Strawberry Hill 10 and Walpole 14.
Anecdotes of Painting in England. AND: A Catalogue of Engravers. Strawberry Hill: 1762-1771 [but 1780] & 1763. 5 volumes. 4to (232 x 180 mm). With 100 engraved plates in first work and 9 plates in the second, original tissue guards. Uniform period tree calf, spines gilt-ruled with red morocco lettering-pieces and oval numbering-pieces. Occasional trifling spots or toned leaves but exceptionally fine. Provenance: Sir James Colquhoun of Luss (armorial bookplates and ALS of Walpole tipped in). SUPERB SET OF WALPOLE'S ANECDOTES OF PAINTING, THE MAJOR WORK OF THE STRAWBERRY HILL PRESS with a bibliographically illuminating AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED bound in to vol 4. It appears that this set remained in the family of the original owner, Sir James Colquhoun, for over 200 years until finally sold off in the mid 1980s. They are in astonishing, completely original condition. Moreover, the fourth volume contains a fine 1 1/4 page ALS from Walpole dated November 25, 1790, to the original owner (with additional autograph note signed to his relative transmitting this letter) which sheds light on the publishing history of this work. It appears that Colquhoun had trouble completing his edition and wrote to Walpole for assistance. Ever obliging, Walpole sent him an unbound fourth volume from his own store. Indeed Hazen informs us that the edition sold out and was quickly marked up (Walpole later complained at having to buy back a copy for his own use at an inflated price). However, in the present letter Walpole admits that, "A rascally bookseller to whom I entrusted the publication of my 4th volume of the Anecdotes of Painting, would part with but very few, tho pretending to me that he had sold many; till he stamped an imaginary value on them by saying he had scarce any left, & then sold them for four times more than they were worth. Thus many persons were prevented from compleating their sets; and compleat sets have been sold for such ridiculous prices, that I have since published a cheap edition without prints, for the use of Artists, & to hinder anybody from paying extravagantly if they do not chuse it." Hazen Strawberry Hill 10 and Walpole 14.
.jpg?height=400 "Source: Christie's")
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
