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Cosway Binding
Details
Beauties of the Court of King Charles II
Cosway Binding
JAMESON, Anna. The Beauties of the Court of King Charles the Second. London: Henry Colburn, 1833.
An extremely fine Cosway binding by C.B. Currie with 22 portrait miniatures, including of the famous “Windsor Beauties.” The portraits depict Charles II in the center of the upper cover surrounded by ten women and Nell Gwynn at the center of the lower cover, similarly surrounded. The two original binders’ key sheets for the portraits are preserved. A sumptuous example of Currie's art.
Quarto (292 x 237mm). Illustrated with engraved portraits (title-page slightly chipped at edges). Mauve crushed levant morocco by Riviere and Son from the design of J.H. Stonehouse, covers in double gilt-rule border, richly decorated with gilt sprays of foliage, the ends bursting with pollen or seeds, large oval centerpieces on gilt pointillé grounds, with 22 miniature portraits on ivory in ovals and roundels—being 11 on each cover; spine in seven compartments with raised bands, gilt-lettered in two compartments, the others with bursting seed-pods, board edges with double gilt rule, turn-ins with five gilt rules and corner design, red moiré silk endleaves, all edges gilt, stamp-signed by the binders on the upper doublure, stamp-signed by the miniaturist on the lower doublure (two minute nicks to board edge, mauve color has evenly grayed on the exterior, silk endleaves lightly frayed). Fleece-lined morocco pull-off case. Provenance: Christie’s New York, 20 May 1988, lot 73.
Cosway Binding
JAMESON, Anna. The Beauties of the Court of King Charles the Second. London: Henry Colburn, 1833.
An extremely fine Cosway binding by C.B. Currie with 22 portrait miniatures, including of the famous “Windsor Beauties.” The portraits depict Charles II in the center of the upper cover surrounded by ten women and Nell Gwynn at the center of the lower cover, similarly surrounded. The two original binders’ key sheets for the portraits are preserved. A sumptuous example of Currie's art.
Quarto (292 x 237mm). Illustrated with engraved portraits (title-page slightly chipped at edges). Mauve crushed levant morocco by Riviere and Son from the design of J.H. Stonehouse, covers in double gilt-rule border, richly decorated with gilt sprays of foliage, the ends bursting with pollen or seeds, large oval centerpieces on gilt pointillé grounds, with 22 miniature portraits on ivory in ovals and roundels—being 11 on each cover; spine in seven compartments with raised bands, gilt-lettered in two compartments, the others with bursting seed-pods, board edges with double gilt rule, turn-ins with five gilt rules and corner design, red moiré silk endleaves, all edges gilt, stamp-signed by the binders on the upper doublure, stamp-signed by the miniaturist on the lower doublure (two minute nicks to board edge, mauve color has evenly grayed on the exterior, silk endleaves lightly frayed). Fleece-lined morocco pull-off case. Provenance: Christie’s New York, 20 May 1988, lot 73.
Special notice
This lot contains ivory material and is offered pursuant to a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation license, a copy of which will be provided to the buyer. Prospective purchasers are advised that various jurisdictions prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with the relevant regulations prior to bidding. Please note that Christie’s does not provide shipping services for this lot, but it can be collected in New York by the buyer or their authorized representative. For more information, please contact PostSaleUS@christies.com.
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Andrew Darlington
Senior Sale Coordinator