Bewick (Thomas). A History of British Birds, 2 volumes, 1805

Bewick (Thomas). A History of British Birds, 2 volumes (land & water birds), 3rd & 2nd editions respectively, Newcastle: Printed by Edward Walker, for T. Bewick, 1805, woodcut vignette illustrations throughout, front blank in volume 1 inscribed 'Alexr. Nasmyth Esq. from the author' and front blank in volume 2 bearing the signature of Alexander Nasmyth, all edges gilt, together with:
Bewick (Thomas), A General History of Quadrupeds, 5th edition, Newcastle upon Tyne: Printed by Edward Walker, for T. Bewick and S. Hodgson, 1807, woodcut vignette illustrations throughout, front blank inscribed 'Alexr. Nasmyth Esq. from the author', occasional minor spotting, all edges gilt, uniform near contemporary gilt panelled and decorated dark green morocco by W. Pratt, joints and extremities lightly rubbed, Royal 8vo in 4s (leaf size approx. 24.8 x 15.4cm)

(Quantity: 3)

Roscoe 18b, 19b & 5b.
The artist Alexander Nasmyth (1758-1840) and Thomas Bewick (1753-1828) are both recorded as having known each other and been friends. The Journal of the Bewick Society, The Cherryburn Times, vol. 5, no. 6. (Summer 2009) includes an article 'Thomas Bewick in Scotland', by Peter Quinn, which makes reference to Nasmyth's and Bewick's friendship. The article also refers to an unpublished letter from Alexander Nasmyth written in Edinburgh, on the 10th November 1807, which mentions a visit to Newcastle and the fact that Nasmyth owned 3 unspecified Bewick volumes ([ms: Bain] Edinburgh, 10th November 1807). It is possible that the lot offered here comprise the same volumes referred to in the letter.

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