On this topic, I thought the group might like to see one of my
old RAD descriptions of:
FULLY ENGRAVED BOOK BY JOHN STURT OWNED BY THE DUKE OF SUSSEX
THE ORTHODOX COMMUNICANT;
By Way of Meditation on the Order for the Administration of the
Lord's-Supper, or Holy Communion; According to the Liturgy of
the Church of England.
Engraven and Sold by John Sturt, London: 1721
pp. (9), 82. 12mo. (in 6) [191 x 118 mm]. Fully engraved text
on ninety-one plates, each with an illustration or large
vignette. The handsomely decorated borders to each page appear
to have been engraved and impressed separately. Full
contemporary black morocco. All edges gilt. The copy of Prince
Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex (1773-1843), a son of King
George III. With additional ownerships of Henry White and
Robert James Sells, and an early bookseller's catalog slip.
The text itself is ascribed (by Halkett & Laing) to Laurence
Howell (1664?-1720), but the greatest interest in this book
comes from its engraved typography and decorations. John Sturt
(1658-1730), was apprenticed at the age of 17 to Robert White,
in whose manner he engraved a number of small portraits as
frontispieces to several books. Becoming associated with John
Ayres, he engraved the most important of that writing-master's
books on calligraphy, and acquired celebrity for his skill in
such work. The amazing skill of his engraving artistry still
astonishes us. This work is probably somewhat scarcer than
Sturt's more famous "Book of Common Prayer", especially in this
(first?) state with single cherubs blowing horns at each side of
the border of p. IX. A remarkable feat of bookmaking.
--
NOTE - CHANGE OF ADDRESS:
Ron & Isabel Lieberman
THE FAMILY ALBUM, ABAA
At the Old Mill
4887 Newport Road
Kinzers, PA 17535
______
Phone: 717 442 0220
FAX: 717 442 7904 {Often busy]
Internet: RareBooks@POBox.com
http://www.sellbooks.net
RAD Web Page: http://WWW.netrax.net/~rarebook/