Illustrations to Popular Songs
London: Thomas M’Lean, c. 1825. Binding: Contemporary quarter crimson Morocco with red cloth boards. Brown calf label on top cover with gilt text and an ornate gilt decorative border. Spine in six compartments of gilt bands. Gilt text on calf label on 2. , Notes: Complete with “address” leaf that Tooley notes "is frequently missing." A fascinating early 19th century work depicting popular songs of the era with charming illustrations. Each plate has two to six vignette scenes; illustrating a single line from a popular song of the day in a humorous way with scenes of hunting, shooting, horses and scenes of domestic life of all classes, fashion, town and country life, military and naval life and so on. The book was first issued in 1822, with reissues in 1823, 1825, 1826, and 1831. The creative impetus for this project supposedly began at a party where, upon hearing a dreadful singer, a friend related, “Swans sing before they die, 'twere no bad thing-should some folks die before they sing.” Alken replied, “I wish it were so, but the words of the Song furnish a good subject for a Sketch,” and he soon presented his friend with the Illustration of 'Begone Dull Care,' which became the first illustration of many that were to be compiled for this work. According to the publisher it is “a Work intended to furnish the Amateur of the Fine Arts, and of Singing, with characteristic representations of his favourite subjects, that he may have the pleasure of beholding the Poet's fancy, embodied by the glowing warmth of the Artist's fertile imagination."
Henry Thomas Alken (1785 – 1851) was an English painter and engraver chiefly known as a caricaturist and illustrator of sporting subjects and coaching scenes.
, Size: Oblong 4to (248x345mm). , Illustration: Complete with Illustrated title page and 42 plates by Alken; all hand-coloured. , References: Tooley, 37; Schwerdt IV, p. 4 (1823 issue)., Category: Book Plate Books Colour; Book Caricatures;. A handsome and fine example of this work. The plates are vibrant, clean and crisp. Item #B5382
Binding: Contemporary quarter crimson Morocco with red cloth boards. Brown calf label on top cover with gilt text and an ornate gilt decorative border. Spine in six compartments of gilt bands. Gilt text on calf label on 2. , Notes: Complete with “address” leaf that Tooley notes "is frequently missing." A fascinating early 19th century work depicting popular songs of the era with charming illustrations. Each plate has two to six vignette scenes; illustrating a single line from a popular song of the day in a humorous way with scenes of hunting, shooting, horses and scenes of domestic life of all classes, fashion, town and country life, military and naval life and so on. The book was first issued in 1822, with reissues in 1823, 1825, 1826, and 1831. The creative impetus for this project supposedly began at a party where, upon hearing a dreadful singer, a friend related, “Swans sing before they die, 'twere no bad thing-should some folks die before they sing.” Alken replied, “I wish it were so, but the words of the Song furnish a good subject for a Sketch,” and he soon presented his friend with the Illustration of 'Begone Dull Care,' which became the first illustration of many that were to be compiled for this work. According to the publisher it is “a Work intended to furnish the Amateur of the Fine Arts, and of Singing, with characteristic representations of his favourite subjects, that he may have the pleasure of beholding the Poet's fancy, embodied by the glowing warmth of the Artist's fertile imagination."
Henry Thomas Alken (1785 – 1851) was an English painter and engraver chiefly known as a caricaturist and illustrator of sporting subjects and coaching scenes.
, Size: Oblong 4to (248x345mm). , Illustration: Complete with Illustrated title page and 42 plates by Alken; all hand-coloured. , References: Tooley, 37; Schwerdt IV, p. 4 (1823 issue)., Category: Book Plate Books Colour; Book Caricatures;.
Price: $2,750.00