NON-EXPORTABLE
AN ATTRACTIVE COPY OF ONE OF THE OUTSTANDING AQUATINT BOOKS OF THE EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY
TITLE: Foreign Field Sports, Fisheries, Sporting Anecdotes, &c. &c
SUB-TITLE: From Drawings by Messrs. Howitt, Atkinson, Clark, Manskirch & c. with a supplement of New South Wales
PUBLISHER: Edward Orme
PLACE: London
YEAR: 1813
BINDING: Dark brown crushed morocco leather with wide gilt border on front and back covers, all edges gilt
NO.OF PAGES: 176 including110 aquatint color plates.
SIZE:
Height: 34.3 cm
Width: 24.5 cm
Depth: 4.7 cm
This book contains a remarkable suite of 10 plates depicting Aboriginal life and customs, with detailed letterpress descriptions. These early colonialimages of the Aboriginal tribes of the Sydney basin became widely recognised, although the identity of the artist was always contested. These images are considered to be unique in the history of early colonial Australian art for their unprejudiced depictions of native life in a time when pejorative representation was the norm. Delicately hand-coloured and expertly printed, these 10 plates "are without question the most attractive and sympathetic of the early European depictions of the native inhabitants." (Australian Rare Books, p. 280)
Besides these 10 plates, this book depicts 100 hunting scenes from various cultures across the globe, including Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas.
Aside from its relevance to Australian colonial history, "Foreign Field Sports" is a testament to the quality of English colour plate book publishing during the early decades of the 19th century. There was fierce competition between publishers to produce works demonstrating exceedingly superior artistic and technical excellence in hand-colouring techniques. This book is a prime example of that. These volumes were expensive in their own time, often priced at several guineas a volume, and took a place of pride in private bookcollections.
This lot will be sold in "as is" condition.
There may be some minor tears/creases scratches, or holes commensurate with age that may not be visible in the images.
The books on sale in this auction are rare, out-of-print and otherwise collectible, dating from the 19th century on wards. The technology and material for printing and binding books has evolved over the last few centuries. From being the exclusive preserve of Clergy and Kings to an item of everyday application, the availability and use of books has also evolved over time. Books age over time and deterioration in a book's condition depends on many factors, including the original materials used and conditions of usage over time. Books will often show signs of foxing, fading, shelf-ware or dust jacket damage through usage. Prolonged storage may also cause wormhole damage or water stains.
The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Storyltd shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.