Merry Wives of Windsor

Sold
$ 12 600
Auction dateClassic
06.10.2022 12:00UTC -04:00
Auctioneer
CHRISTIE'S
Event location
USA, New York
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 813774
Lot 84 | Merry Wives of Windsor
Merry Wives of Windsor

"The Illuminated Shakespeare," 1903

DE VINNE PRESS – SHAKESPEARE, William (1564-1616). The Merry Wives of Windsor ... Illuminated by John H. Tearle. [New York:] Merrill & Baker 1903.



One of only seven copies printed on vellum; illuminated with 23 fine watercolor miniatures. Each copy is unique in its decoration and illumination, this one is undesignated. Merrill & Baker's “Illuminated Shakespeare” was to comprise thirty-nine volumes, each limited to seven numbered copies. It is unlikely that the project was ever completed. A beautiful copy.



Quarto (314 x 235 mm). Printed on vellum in black on one side of the sheet only, major initials in gold, line and other smaller initials supplied in various colors, marginal watercolor drawings of women and landscape views, profusely decorated with scrollwork initial extensions, borders and other ornaments, in gold and a very wide range of colors (scattered light foxmarks/toning to vellum). 23 watercolor miniatures, being 18 character studies and 5 views; many large initials, large tendrils or other decorations on every page, two tail-pieces, rubricated capitals throughout in eight colors. Dark brown crushed levant morocco, covers with gilt fillet and border of small tools framing a large design of ornamental scrollwork around a medallion with the initial S, the inlays in blue, mauve, green, yellow, maroon, and light brown morocco; spine in six compartments with five raised bands, gilt lettered in two compartments, a repeated floral colored morocco inlaid panel in the rest. Full morocco doublures with similar scrollwork and inlays as the covers, vellum endleaves, uncut, stamp-signed by Jackel & Co, on front doublure. Velvet-lined cloth box.

Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
20 Rockefeller Plaza
10020 New York
USA
Preview
06.10.2022 – 06.10.2022
Phone +1 212 636 2000
Fax +1 212 636 4930
Email
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase
Shipping Postal service
Courier service
pickup by yourself
Payment methods Wire Transfer
Business hoursBusiness hours
Mo 09:30 – 17:00   
Tu 09:30 – 17:00   
We 09:30 – 17:00   
Th 09:30 – 17:00   
Fr 09:30 – 17:00   
Sa closed
Su closed