A bibliography and biography of Hollar, extra-illustrated with original etchings

VERTUE, George.

A Description of the Works Of the Ingenious Delineator and Engraver Wenceslaus Hollar, Disposed into Classes of Different Sorts; with Some Account of His Life.
London: George Vertue, 1745. First Edition. Small 4to, later half morocco gilt, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers; pp. vi + 137 + (26) (later blanks); title with engraved portrait, engraved plate with prospect of London and index, two engraved head pieces (homage to Thomas Howard, Earl of Arundel & prospect of Prague) and a decorative tailpiece. Extra-illustrated with 56 etchings by Hollar, mounted in album paper.

Some foxing in text, some old ink mss. corrections.

An enlarged copy of the first attempt at a catalogue raisonné of the works of Wenceslaus Hollar, the Bohemian etcher best known for his 'Long View of London'. George Vertue, an engraver and noted member of the Society of Antiquaries, attempted to classify the etchings into 14 categories, including 'Mapps, Planns', 'Ships, Sea-pospects', 'Landskips Dutch', 'Habits of Nations', 'Portraits', 'Muffs, Swords' & 'Titles of Books'.
The extra illustrations are: 11 views of Tangier (drawn by Hollar during England's short ownership of the city); a view of Antwerp; title and 36 costume plates from 'Theatrum Mulierum'; and eight portraits after Holbein and Bierling.
A unique example of a book rarely seen on the market.


Stock ID : 22727