$4,095
Estimate: $800 - $1,200
Auction: May 20, 2021 1:00:00 PM EDT
Newcastle Upon Tyne: S. Hodgson, R. Beilby, & T. Bewick, 1790. First edition. Tall 8vo. viii, 456 pp. Inscribed at top of title-page: "The bequest of Isabella Bewick/to her Daughter/Jane Bewick " either partially or completely by Thomas Bewick's wife, Isabella, or their daughter, Jane. There is a further inscription at bottom of same, "* This is one of the four copies printed on this vellum paper." and appears to be signed with Thomas Bewick's cipher, "TB". As a close reading of T. Roscoe's bibliography of Bewick (p. 6) will attest, Thomas Bewick was well aware of the outsized value of some of his books, including this very one. Profusely illustrated with wood engravings by Bewick. Contemporary tree calf, stamped in gilt, rebacked, early red morocco spine label laid down; all edges gilt; marbled endpapers; pencil rubbing of original (?) spine laid in; ink and pencil pattern of a different spine laid in; book-plate on front paste-down. Roscoe 1, see "Special Copies", p. 6.