Antiquarian Book-THE CHASE-Bewick-Somervile-first edition-1796

Subject: Published in London by William Bulmer., 1796, first edition. 4to: xvi, viii, 126 pp. Full leather, private binding in heavy leather. With gilt decorations to the front and spine, gilt arms of Johnstone to the front. Unusual pigskin pastedowns and flyleaves. Hugo 94.

Condition: Very good, given age. Spine restored, the original spine laid down on later leather. Front hinge a little weak but intact. Some scattered light foxing in the text.

Medium: An engraved vignette to the title page, and 12 b/w illustrations and tailpieces. Thomas Bewick.

Size (in cm): The overall size is ca. 24.7 x 30.2 cm. 4to.

Size (in inch): The overall size is ca. 9.7 x 11.9 inch. 4to.

Part Number: 55386

Location: ZL3b

Antique Book, titled: 'The Chase, a poem by William Somervile Esq.', by: William Somervile. A finely printed edition of the famous poem about field sports (mainly hunting) in blank verse by William Somervile, in a fine private binding. Printed on Dutch paper (Van Gelder).

Artists and Engravers: Author(s): William Somervile. William Somervile (1675-1742) was a writer and poet with a great interest in field sports. Illustrated by: Thomas Bewick (1753-1828) was born in Prudhoe, near Newcastle upon Tyne. He would remain in this region for the rest of his live. Bewick worked as a woodengraver. His many very finely executed designs and bookillustrations are highly appreciated. Bewick is seen as the man who started the great production of woodengraving in the 19th. century.