![STUBBS, George (1724-1806). The Anatomy of the Horse. London: J. Purser for the author, 1766 [but c. 1815].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2006/CKS/2006_CKS_07300_0604_000(113239).jpg?w=1)
Details
STUBBS, George (1724-1806). The Anatomy of the Horse. London: J. Purser for the author, 1766 [but c. 1815].
Oblong broadsheets (440 x 550mm). 24 etched plates, including 4 key plates, by and after Stubbs [all watermarked 1815]. (A few clean tears, neatly repaired, occasional scattered spotting and offsetting, leaf 'a' torn with loss not affecting text.) 19th-century green half vellum, preserving the original printed label on the upper cover, marbled sides (extremities rubbed, scuffed, faint ink marks on upper cover). Provenance: L.C. Higgins (signature on title).
FIRST EDITION, later issue. STUBBS'S WORK 'HAS BOTH SCIENTIFIC AND ARTISTIC IMPORTANCE, AND ... ENJOYS, WITH THE WORKS OF VESALIUS AND ALBINUS, AN ESTEEM FAR BEYOND THE SPECIAL AREA OF LEARNING FOR WHICH IT WAS DESIGNED' (Doherty, quoted by Norman). Stubbs's drawings for the plates were executed between 1756 and 1759, and were based on numerous dissections that he had performed himself. Once the drawings were finished, Stubbs unsuccessfully attempted to find an engraver; many felt the detailed drawings were beyond their abilities, thus forcing Stubbs to engrave them himself. Over the next 6 years the task effected his transformation from an engraver of limited ability to one of great skill. His work 'remained the standard authority on its subject for nearly a century', marking 'a major advance in the study of equine anatomy' (Lennox-Boyd).
The text used for the various issues of The Anatomy was probably printed at the time of the original publication, but the plates appear to have been printed on demand as copies were sold, and plates watermarked with dates from 1798 to 1827 are known. Those in this copy are watermarked 1815 and are printed on wove (rather than laid) paper. Brunet V, 571; Dingley Comben 600 (later issue, plates watermarked 1823); Eales/Cole 1472-1800 1840; Garrison and Morton 308.1; Huth p. 42; Lennox-Boyd Stubbs 165-188; Mellon/Podeschi 57; Nissen ZBI 4027; Norman 2032 (later issue, plates watermarked '1798').
Oblong broadsheets (440 x 550mm). 24 etched plates, including 4 key plates, by and after Stubbs [all watermarked 1815]. (A few clean tears, neatly repaired, occasional scattered spotting and offsetting, leaf 'a' torn with loss not affecting text.) 19th-century green half vellum, preserving the original printed label on the upper cover, marbled sides (extremities rubbed, scuffed, faint ink marks on upper cover). Provenance: L.C. Higgins (signature on title).
FIRST EDITION, later issue. STUBBS'S WORK 'HAS BOTH SCIENTIFIC AND ARTISTIC IMPORTANCE, AND ... ENJOYS, WITH THE WORKS OF VESALIUS AND ALBINUS, AN ESTEEM FAR BEYOND THE SPECIAL AREA OF LEARNING FOR WHICH IT WAS DESIGNED' (Doherty, quoted by Norman). Stubbs's drawings for the plates were executed between 1756 and 1759, and were based on numerous dissections that he had performed himself. Once the drawings were finished, Stubbs unsuccessfully attempted to find an engraver; many felt the detailed drawings were beyond their abilities, thus forcing Stubbs to engrave them himself. Over the next 6 years the task effected his transformation from an engraver of limited ability to one of great skill. His work 'remained the standard authority on its subject for nearly a century', marking 'a major advance in the study of equine anatomy' (Lennox-Boyd).
The text used for the various issues of The Anatomy was probably printed at the time of the original publication, but the plates appear to have been printed on demand as copies were sold, and plates watermarked with dates from 1798 to 1827 are known. Those in this copy are watermarked 1815 and are printed on wove (rather than laid) paper. Brunet V, 571; Dingley Comben 600 (later issue, plates watermarked 1823); Eales/Cole 1472-1800 1840; Garrison and Morton 308.1; Huth p. 42; Lennox-Boyd Stubbs 165-188; Mellon/Podeschi 57; Nissen ZBI 4027; Norman 2032 (later issue, plates watermarked '1798').
Special notice
No VAT on hammer price or buyer's premium.