Yale Center for British Art

Creator:
Gilpin, William, 1724-1804
Title:
An essay upon prints : containing remarks upon the principles of picturesque beauty, the different kinds of prints, and the characters of the most noted masters : illustrated by criticisms upon particular pieces : to which are added, some cautions that may be useful in collecting prints.
Alternate Title(s):
Essay on prints
Published / Created:
London : Printed for J. Robson, bookseller to the Princess Dowager of Wales, at the Feathers, in New Bond Street, MDCCLXVIII [1768]
Physical Description:
[2], iv, 4, [2], 249, [13] pages ; 20 cm (8vo)
Holdings:
Rare Books and Manuscripts
NE430 G48

Copyright Status:
Copyright Not Evaluated
Classification:
Books
Notes:
BEIN Osborn pc301: 18 cm. Imperfect: partial loss of marginal ms. characters due to trimming; wormed. Autograph, ms. notes, and armorial bookplate of Alexander Fraser Tytler [Lord Woodhouselee]. Bookplate signed 'Woodhouselee.' On t.p. in ms: 'Alex. Tytler' (at top of page) and 'by Mr. Gilpin' (following title). Includes Tytler's transcriptions of engravers' marks in margins. With: Martyn, Thomas. Chronological series of engravers from the invention of the art ... Cambridge : J. Archdeacon, 1770.

Published anonymously. Attributed to William Gilpin. Cf. ESTC

ESTC (RLIN) describes a copy (extra-illustrated?) with [17] plates. RLIN (but not ESTC) includes several records for a 1768 ed. with title, "An essay on prints," lacking any plates. ESTC (RLIN) lists a 3rd (1781) and 4th (1792) ed. with title, "An essay on prints."

Pages [2] (first count), [2] (fourth count), and final p. blank.

Pages 44-45 and 81-96 misnumbered 45-46 and 77-92 respectively.

English short title catalogue, T94038

Errata on page [1] of final count.

"Explanation of terms" on pages 1-4 (third count).

Includes index.
Contents:
I. The principles of painting considered, as far as they relate to prints -- II. Observations on the different kinds of prints -- III. Characters of the most noted masters -- IV. Remarks on particular prints -- V. Cautions in collecting prints.
Subject Terms:
Engraving -- Early works to 1800. | Engravers -- Early works to 1800. | Prints -- Collectors and collecting. | Prints. | Fenn, John, 1739–1794 -- Autograph. | Fenn, John, 1739–1794 -- Bookplate. | Fenn, John, 1739–1794 -- Ms. notes. | Woodhouselee, Alexander Fraser Tytler, Lord, 1747–1813 -- Autograph. | Woodhouselee, Alexander Fraser Tytler, Lord, 1747–1813 -- Bookplate. | Woodhouselee, Alexander Fraser Tytler, Lord, 1747–1813 -- Ms. notes. | Roydon Library -- Ownership.
Form/Genre:
Annotations (Provenance) -- 18th century. | Annotations (Provenance) -- 18th century. | Armorial bookplates (Provenance) | Armorial bookplates (Provenance)
Contributors:
Robson, James, 1733–1806, publisher.