A Catalogue Of One Hundred Impressions From Gems, Engraved By Nathaniel Marchant. - [Epigraph]
RA Collection: Book
Record number
04/2326
Author
Imprint
London:: Printed For J. Edwards, Pall-Mall., 1792.
Physical Description
[4], 36, vi p., frontis.; 258 mm. (4to.)
Contents
[Half-title, frontis., t.p.] - Advertisement - [Text] - A List Of The Present Subscribers To Impressions From Gems, Executed By Nathaniel Marchant, Sculptor Of Gems To His Royal Highness The Prince Of Wales, And Member Of The Royal Academy Of London ... .
Responsibility Note
The frontispiece is signed as designed and drawn by Lavinia Countess Spencer and engraved by F. Bartolozzi R.A. (dated 1792). It also carries the publisher's imprint of N. Marchant, dated May 30. 1792.
References
ESTC, T14361
G. Seidmann, 'Nathaniel Marchant gem-engraver 1739-1816', in Walpole Society, 53 (1987), p.1-105, 161.
D. Goddeau, `An illustrated reproduction of "A catalogue of one hundred impressions from gems, engraved by N. Marchant" ; with impression images from the MyI Collection.' 2023.
G. Seidmann, 'Nathaniel Marchant gem-engraver 1739-1816', in Walpole Society, 53 (1987), p.1-105, 161.
D. Goddeau, `An illustrated reproduction of "A catalogue of one hundred impressions from gems, engraved by N. Marchant" ; with impression images from the MyI Collection.' 2023.
Summary Note
The work is a catalogue describing (and intended to accompany) a collection of one hundred pastes of gems (RA Inv. 15/3248), the originals of which Marchant had displayed in 1791. Although Marchant's gems were mostly copied from antique examples, he did include some portraits of contemporaries, such as the Pope and General Wolfe.
Reproductions
An electronic reproduction was published in 2003 (Farmington Hills, Mich.: Thomson Gale). A microfilm version was published in 1986 (Woodbridge CT: Research Publications).
Provenance
The front pastedown carries a printed label reading 'Presented By The Royal Society of London To '. This has been completed in ink with the words ' The Royal Academy of Arts'. Below the printed word 'Presented' have been inscribed in ink the words '(together with a set of the Impressions)'. The pastedown is also inscribed in pencil, 'J.E.H.', i.e. John Evan Hodgson, librarian of the Royal Academy 1882-95. Presented by the Royal Society in 1889 (see RA Annual Report for 1889, p. 47).
Binding Note
18th-century half calf, marbled-papered boards; rebacked and recornered in 1996 by James Brockman, brown morocco spine-label lettered 'Marchant Gems', spine lettered '1792'.
Name as Subject
Subject
Mythology, Greek - Celebrities, Roman
Celebrities, European - 18th century
Gems - 18th century
Portraits - Catalogues - Great Britain - 18th century
Celebrities, European - 18th century
Gems - 18th century
Portraits - Catalogues - Great Britain - 18th century
Contributors
James Edwards, publisher
Lavinia, Countess Spencer, draughtsman
Francesco Bartolozzi RA, engraver
James Brockman, binder
Royal Society (London), previous owner, donor
Lavinia, Countess Spencer, draughtsman
Francesco Bartolozzi RA, engraver
James Brockman, binder
Royal Society (London), previous owner, donor
