A Trip To Melton Mowbray

Additional information

One of Alken's Rarest works. First edition, first state, a portfolio (as issued) of fourteen hand coloured aquatint strips on twelve leaves of heavy card paper, the engravings generally measure 568*92 mm, and are mounted on leaves measuring 622* 144 mm, two leaves have two strips and the rest are one strip to one leaf, all strips carry captions and publication information in the lower blank margins and have the original printed paper labels on the versos. Housed in the original folding muslin case which itself is housed in a near contemporary folding red cloth portfolio, with a black morocco gilt cover label. (only one copy at auction in the last 30 years and none located at OCLC). This being the very desirable first issue (identified with having the publisher listed 'Fuller' in the first issue and 'Fores' in the second. Abbey says of the second issue: From a collector's point of view these are of little use, the quality of the impression and colour being decidedly inferior [compared to the first]. No engraver's name is given but Schwerdt definitely ascribes it to Alken and Alken's name is in gilt on the cover label. The designer, Sir J.D. Paul (1806-1868), was a well known banker who illustrated various books on fox hunting. One of the most attractive hunting pictures of this period, which marks the zenith of hunting in England (Schwerdt). The whole panorama shows a typical day at the hunt beginning with 'We must be off to Melton' and ending with exeunt in fumo, all executed in finely hand coloured aquatints. A fine copy of one of Alken's scarcest works. (Abbey Life 488. Schwerdt III p3)