lately added author's statements concerning
ILLUSTRATIONS WIKIPEDIA
Royal Institution Library London
Aquatint 1810 Aquatinta
Source Polygraphicum Quelle Polygraphicum
author: Jappalang 16th July 2011
File
microcosm of london plate 68
adjusted tone illustrations without risk statement (source)
royal institution library london
author: Mu 15 février 2007 et 16 février 2007
FILEs 2x anonymous author Mu wikipedia FICHIER
royal institution library (i.e. microcosm London vol.III No.68)
original tone of illustrations from polygraphicum
2x risk statements (source)
AU CONTRAIRE IM GEGENSATZ ZU IN CONTRARY INCONTRO online reports by numerous IT specialists for SAFE PAGE
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quoted from polygraphicum www statements :: updates by peter helm polygraphicum 20AUG2012
cf. R.V. TOOLEY ENGLISH BOOKS with COLOURED PLATES 1790 to 1860
A Bibliographical Account of the most Important Books illustrated by English Artists in Colour Aquatint and Colour Lithography
London.B.T.Batsford 1954/1987 p.20-25
TOOLEY Nr.7 , p. 20-25
ACKERMANN RUDOLPH
The Microscosm of London ( or London in Miniature ).In three volumes.London, 1808-10, 104 colour aquatint plates
Printed for R.Ackermann, Repository of Arts, No. 101, Strand, by T.Bensley, Bolt Court, Fleet Street
3 vols . Quarto
COLLATION VOL.III
A composition title engraved on wood ( consisting of an architectural background, Dome of St.Paul's,
Towers of Abbey &c., shipping at foot ) with imprint , T.Bensley, Printer, Bolt Court, Fleet Street, London.
(Verso blank) + Engraved dedication to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales Thos. Tomkins Script. Robt. Ashby Sculpt.,
- Dedication as VOL.I. , except the fine stipple vignette at head E.F. Burney del. Thos. Williamson sculp.
(consisting of a central female with Apollo as a cherub driving his chariot on either side)
- Dedication VOL.III., as before, with the exception of the stipple vignette, the design of which is altered to cherub
setting bird free, female figure of justice, cherub with cap, wand, and scroll. E.F. Burney del. Thos Williamson sculp.
+ Contents of Vol.III [being list of plates] (v. Note to Patrons) + Introduction 2 pp (iii-iv) + Half-title as before (v. blank)
+ pp. 1-280 [Harrison and Rutter, Printers, 373, Strand]
+ Index and Errata 3 ll. unnumbered, and 40 coloured plates
plate 68 pag. 32 Royal Institution, Albemarle Street, Stadler aquat. 1st May 1809
All the plates in each volume are marked Rowlandson and Pugin, or Pugin and Rowlandson, del. et. sculpt. and all bear
Ackermann's Repository of Arts, 101, Strand.
RESUMÉ
104 coloured aquatint plates after Rowlandson and Pugin by Bluck (53, 54 or 55), Hill (10), Stadler (28 or 29), Sutherland (10), Not given (1), Harraden (1 or none)
Size of text 14 1/4 x 11 1/2 inches
Size of plate marks 11x 9 3/4 inches and of engraved surface of plates average 10 x 11 1/2 inches.
GENERAL REMARKS
The 'Microcosm of London' is one of the great colour-plate books, and a carefully selected copy should form the corner stone of any collection of books on this subject.
The plates by Rowlandson and Pugin present an unrivalled picture of London in early 19th century, of historic value, as many of the buildings no longer exist.
From a bibliographical point of view the work presents many absorbing and intricate problems. Of the sixty or seventy copies I have examined in the last few years,
not one has been in the first state throughout. Should such a copy ever occur for sale, it should realise a very high figure. There are different issues
of the plates, of the text, and of the paper. These variations are further complicated by the fact that they are not necessarily uniform. Late impressions of some plates
frequently occur with early impressions in the same volume, and the first issue of the text does not necessarily accompany first issue of plates.
As a picture book alone the work will always command a good price, but the discriminating collector will exercise much care and thought before making a final selection,
and endeavour to secure as many of the following salient points in the first state as possible.
N.B.: It is useful to remember that the plates are roughly arranged alphabetically throughout the 3 volumes
ISSUES. -TEXT
1st State.- The Errata entirely uncorrected.
( I have seen four copies, one formerly in the possession of Messrs. Maggs Bros. in this state, but cannot refer to any in a public library)
2nd State.-The text remains uncorrected with the exception of Vol.I, p. 218, line 13, Coustum House being corrected to Custom House [B.M. Guildhall, Bishopsgate Inst.]
3rd State.-The text reset, and the Errata to Vol.I corrected [Guildhall 2nd copy]
WATERMARKS.-These must all be pre-publication. The plates were reissued without the imprints being changed, and the copies exist purporting to be 1808-10,
but bearing later watermarks, the plates being reprinted to 1836 at least. The same scrutiny must be applied to the text. The paper was mainly supplied by J.Whatman and L. & D.
PRELIMINARY LEAVES.- All the preliminary leaves must be present, and the 3 dedications must each have a different vignette heading.
There are two states to the contents leaf of Vol.I.
1st state lettered ''Contents''
2nd state lettered ''Contents Vol. I''
The number of the volume in the composition woodcut title should be clearly printed [ I, II, III ] and not inserted by hand. In the correct woodcut title to Vol. I,
there is a comma after Bensley in the imprint, but not in Vols. II and III.
FINAL REMARKS.- The finest copy of the ''Microcosm'' I have seen is in the possession of H.Harvey Frost Esq., who with great courtesy permitted me to examine it.
It measures 14 1/16 x 11 1/2 inches, and contains the original wrappers bound in at the end. The ''Microcosm'' was advertised to be issued in monthly parts,
on the first day of each month, at 7 shillings per part, in 4 volumes of 24 numbers, printed on ''large 4to to Royal Elephant Vellum paper hot pressed.''
This was found to be unremunerative, and the price was advanced to 10s. 6d. to non-subscribers after the 8th number and the work to be completed in 3 volumes
instead of 4 as intended, but the number of parts increased to 26, a slip note to this effect being inserted in part 17, and it was published in 3 vols. for 13 Pound 13s.
