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Biographical Anecdotes Of William Hogarth; With A Catalogue Of His Works Chronologically Arranged; And Occasional Remarks. The Third Edition, Enlarged And Corrected.

RA Collection: Book

Record number

05/5027

Variant Title

New Books published by J. Nichols

Imprint

London:: Printed By And For John Nichols, In Red-Lion-Passage, Fleet-Street., M DCC LXXXV.

Physical Description

xx, 529, [3] p., frontis. (port.), add. engr. t.pl., [1] pl.; 210 mm. (Octavo.)

Contents

[Frontis. (port.), add. t.pl., t.p.] - Memorandum (by J.N., 1785) - Advertisement To The Second Edition (by J.N., 1782) - Advertisement To The First Edition (1781) - [Letter from A. Crayen, 1783) - [Translations of the Dedication and Preface of Crayen's Translation] - List of Gentlemen, Artists, &c. who furnished incidental intelligence to the Author of this Work - Collectors of Hogarth - Extract from the Daily Advertiser, January 27, 1783 - Prints published by Mr. Hogarth ... - Credite Posteri! - [Plate (port.)] - [Text] - General Index To Hogarth's Plates - [Publisher's advertisement, 'New Books published by J. Nichols'].

Responsibility Note

[First copy:] The frontis. port. of Hogarth is signed as painted by himself and engraved by T. Chambars. The portrait of Hogarth facing p.1 of the text is unsigned.

[Scond copy:] The frontis. port. of Hogarth is signed as painted by himself and etched by J. Mills 1808. It carries the publisher's imprint of Alex. Hogg & Co. Feb. 1. 1808. The small leaf showing a portrait of Fielding, inserted before p. 385, is unsigned.

References

ESTC, T56097
R. Simon, Hogarth, France and British art (2007).
R. Paulson, Hogarth (3 v., 1991-3).
E. Einberg, Manners and morals: Hogarth and British painting 1700-1760 [exhibition catalogue] (1987).
M. Kitson, 'Hogarth's "Apology for painters"', in Walpole Society Journal, 41 (1968), p.46-111.

Summary Note

The publication-date is stated more fully on the edded engraved title-plate, 'Novr. 10th. 1785.' The Royal Academy's second copy has a frontispiece portrait of Hogarth carrying the publication date of Feb. 1 1808.

John Nichols had begun publishing literary anecdotes in the Gentleman's Magazine. His interest in Hogarth's life may have originated in the association of his former partner, Bowyer, with the painter. A fourth edition of these Biographical Anecdotes was published in 1810 in two volumes, with many plates.

Reproductions

An electronic reproduction was published in 2003 (Farmington Hills, Mich.: Thomson Gale). A Microfilm copy was published in 1986 (Woodbridge, CT: Research Publications).

Provenance

[Second copy:] A preliminary leaf is inscribed in ink, 'B. Holme'.

Copy Note

[Second copy:] Lacks the portrait facing p.1; has a portrait of Fielding inserted before p.385. A preliminary leaf is inscribed in ink, 'Best Edition scarce. 15s with the print of Fielding added p. 384.' The verso of the title page is inscribed in ink, 'In this work Mr Nichols was indebted for nearly every critique on the Plates of Hogarth to the late George Stevens (the Eduitor of Shakespeare) who wrote the Prefaces to the second and third Editions; and by whom large additions for a fourth were made, in a copy purchased at his sales, by the late G Baker Esqre of St Paul's Church yard who politely allowed them to be copied for the last Editions in 2 vols 4to with 160 Plates. v. Nichols's Anecdotes of Bowyer v.6. p. 632.' Further inscriptions in ink or pencil appear on pp. xvi, xvii, 10, 29, 31, 69, 86, 116, 145, 167, 191, 192, 203, 207, 215, 219222, 223, 225, 226, 233-6, 248, 250-2, 254-5, 262, 267, 271, 278-9, 285-6 (this has also a small leaf on notes inserted), 298-9, 301, 307, 312, 316, 321-2, 334-7, 352, 374, 407, 440, 481, and on a rear leaf.

Binding Note

[First copy:] 18th-century mottled calf, gilt-decorated spine, red morocco spine-label lettered 'Anecdotes Of Hogarth'.

[Second copy:] 20th-century half calf, marbled-papered boards; spine lettered 'Nichols's Anecdotes Of Hogarth.', 'R.A.' and '1785'.

Name as Subject

Subject

Artists - Painters - Draughtsmen - Engravers - Great Britain - London - Social life and customs - History - 18th century
Anecdotes - Biography - Art history - Great Britain - 18th century
Publishers' advertisements - Great Britain - 18th century

Contributors

John Nichols, compiler, publisher, printer
Thomas Chambers ARA, engraver
B. Holme, previous owner?
J. Mills, engraver