Beschreibung:

ALKEN, Henry (1784-1851). A Collection of Sporting and Humourous Designs, comprising a variety of entertaining works, by Henry Alken illustrative of the sports and pastimes of England. London: collected and published by Thomas M'Lean, 1824.
ALKEN, Henry (1784-1851). A Collection of Sporting and Humourous Designs, comprising a variety of entertaining works, by Henry Alken illustrative of the sports and pastimes of England. London: collected and published by Thomas M'Lean, 1824. 2 volumes, 2 o (530 x 345 mm.). THREE HAND-COLORED TITLES AND 208 AQUATINT OR SOFT-GROUND ETCHED PLATES (including one duplicate), 4 folding, 2 loosely inserted, cut round (with occasional loss of imprint), and mounted or neatly inlaid, within gilt and ruled borders and interleaved throughout. Late 19th-century red morocco gilt bound for Henry Arthur Johnstone, upper covers with his initials on a centrally placed shield supported by crossed cutlasses, the date of publication at foot and a floral motif flanked by running dogs at the head, spines in six compartments with raised bands, lettered in four, the others with a hunting motif, light brown pigskin liners (with blindstamped ex-libris dated 1899) and doublures, t.e.g. Provenance : Henry Arthur Johnstone (binding). A RARE CONTEMPORARY COLLECTION, more usually found in three volumes with about 300 plates. The blank spaces left for the volume numbers on the titles perhaps indicate that customers were able to choose a selection of plates from M'Lean's stock and then have them bound to order. This selection, including seven complete works, and plates from six others, comprises: Volume I: National Sports of Great Britain. Title, 50 plates on 42 leaves (plus a loosely inserted duplicate of the "Drawing the Badger" plate). Tooley 41; [ Shooting ]. 4 large folding plates (cut to edge of image area); [ Coaching ]. 2 plates (one of Plymouth and London Royal Mail, the second of the Bath and London coach, both cut to edge of image area); Moments of Fancy and Whim. 14 plates. Tooley 40. -- Volume II: Illustrations to Popular Songs. Letterpress title, title, 42 plates in 21 leaves. See Tooley 37; Involuntary Thoughts. 8 plates on 4 leaves. Tooley 39; Tutors Assistant. 6 plates on 3 leaves. Tooley 59; [ Scraps from the Sketch-book of... Alken ]. 12 plates on 6 leaves; [ Shakespeare ]. 2 plates on 1 leaf; [ Illustrations. Byron ]. 3 plates; Symptoms of being amused. Title, 41 plates on 21 leaves. Tooley 57; A Touch at the Fine Arts. 12 plates on 6 leaves. Tooley 58; Scenes in the Life of Master George. 11 (of 12) plates (including one plate loosely inserted). Tooley 46. (2)