Aeschylus | Tragedies in Greek. Glasgow, 1795, bound with Flaxman’s Compositions, 1795, finely bound by Staggemeier and Welcher - photo 1
Aeschylus | Tragedies in Greek. Glasgow, 1795, bound with Flaxman’s Compositions, 1795, finely bound by Staggemeier and Welcher - photo 2
Aeschylus | Tragedies in Greek. Glasgow, 1795, bound with Flaxman’s Compositions, 1795, finely bound by Staggemeier and Welcher - photo 3

Aeschylus | Tragedies in Greek. Glasgow, 1795, bound with Flaxman’s Compositions, 1795, finely bound by Staggemeier and Welcher

Lot 1
28.11.2023 14:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
£ 4 064
AuctioneerSotheby´s
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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Archive
ID 1073277
Lot 1 | Aeschylus | Tragedies in Greek. Glasgow, 1795, bound with Flaxman’s Compositions, 1795, finely bound by Staggemeier and Welcher
Estimate value
£ 5 000 – 7 000
Aeschylus. ΧΑΙ ΤΟΥ ΑΙΣΧΥΛΟΥ ΤΡΑΓΩΔΑΙ ΧΕΠΤΑ. Glasgow: Andrew Foulis for the Academy, 1795, Greek and roman types cut by Alexander Wilson, half title, interleaved with:

John Flaxman, illustrator. Compositions from the tragedies of Aeschylus. London [i.e. Rome]: for the artist by J. Matthews, 12 January 1795, FIRST EDITION, ONE OF JUST 11 OR 12 LARGE PAPER COPIES, engraved title, 30 engraved plates on papier velin, most watermarked Whatman 1794

2 works bound in one volume, folio (485 x 295mm.), HANDSOME CONTEMPORARY FULL RED MOROCCO GILT IN NEOCLASSICAL STYLE BY STAGGEMEIER & WELCHER, wide border of paired drawer-tools surrounding a fleuron, enhanced with pointillé tooling, elaborate cornerpieces made up of small floral and foliate tools, raised bands, gilt-panelled spine, gilt turn-ins and marbled endpapers, gilt edges, a few plates lightly toned, light to moderate offsetting onto text, a little foxing to perhaps a dozen text leaves

FROM THE HUTH LIBRARY. One of just 11 or 12 large paper copies (and 52 regular copies) of the Foulis Press “Tragedies” of Aeschylus, this imposing volume is beautifully printed, handsomely bound, comes with distinguished provenance, and is extra-illustrated with plates by a renowned British sculptor and graphic artist whose work is often compared to that of his close friend William Blake. Always characterized by accurate scholarship, fine quality paper and types, and printing that was done to exacting technical standard, the Foulis Press produced more than 700 editions in six decades of publishing. The present work pairs their elegant Greek type—appearing here surrounded by stately margins—with a series of 30 austere yet lyrical illustrations by John Flaxman (1755-1826).

Flaxman began his career as a designer for Wedgewood, but is chiefly remembered for his illustrations, sculptures, and designs for funerary monuments. The artist perfected his distinctive style of line illustration while studying in Italy (1787-1794), during which time he received commissions to produce the present series of images as well as illustrations for works by Homer and Dante. In Ray’s words, “Flaxman’s choice of great classics for the subjects of his illustrations and his spare but elegant style—chiefly inspired, it would seem, by Greek vase painting—made an irresistible appeal to the taste of the age”. The present copy boasts an appropriately elegant Neoclassical binding by Staggemeier & Welcher. In partnership in London from about 1799 to 1817, the German emigre binders had come to England to satisfy the fashionable need among men of means for elegant bindings. and oversaw “one of the most prolific workshops producing ‘extra’ quality work in London.” (Maggs Catalogue 1212) They were known for bindings with typically tasteful and sometimes elaborate gilt decoration, and were among the very best at producing these highly finished volumes.
Auction house category:Prints, graphics, books
Address of auction Sotheby´s
34-35 New Bond Street
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United Kingdom
Preview
28.11.2023
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