[Rarebooks] FS: Bickham's Beautifully Engraved BRITISH MONARCHY, 1743, with much on America, price cut in half

[Charles Agvent]

Price reduced to $3000 NET

BICKHAM, George. PROPOSALS FOR ENGRAVING BY SUBSCRIPTION. THE BRITISH 
MONARCHY: OR, A NEW CHOROGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION OF ALL THE DOMINIONS 
SUBJECT TO THE KING OF GREAT BRITAIN... COMPREHENDING THE BRITISH ISLES, 
THE ELECTORAL STATES, THE AMERICAN COLONIES, THE AFRICAN SETTLEMENTS... 
THE RESPECTIVE COUNTIES OF ENGLAND AND WALES... London: Benj. Dodd, 
August 1743. First Edition. Folio (7-1/2" x 12-1/2") bound in 
contemporary marbled boards rebacked with a modern calf spine and a 
maroon gilt-lettered leather spine label. Engraved frontispiece of 
Britannia (strengthened), title, "Conditions," subscribers' list (2 
leaves), engraved double-page map, engraved table (torn at fold with 
half loss), and 190 numbered plates (lacking plate 163, which is the 
missing half of the previously noted table), plates 83 and 164 loosely 
inserted from another copy). All pages entirely engraved and printed on 
the recto only, with most pages illustrated. Among the illustrations are 
four maps, numerous scenic views, and vignettes of people engaged in 
various activities. Separate title page dated 1747 for the American 
Colonies section which includes 21 pages with illustrations of Native 
Americans, colonists, ships, etc., with descriptions of Carolina, New 
England, Georgia, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. Africa 
and India are also represented, though very briefly. Sabin 5222. 
Contemporary armorial bookplate of James Norman, likely a relation to 
John Norman, a listed subscriber, on the front pastedown. Four vignettes 
partially hand-colored, browning and occasional moderate waterstaining, 
final leaf trimmed, a few contemporary marginal notes. A Very Good, 
attractive example, nearly complete but for the missing half of the 
table, of this uncommon early title with much on the American colonies.

The title page is a subscribers variant, with non-subscribers editions 
omitting "Proposals for Engraving by Subscription" and with a different 
imprint. George Bickham the Elder (1684-1758) was an English writing 
master and engraver. He is best known for his engraving work in THE 
UNIVERSAL PENMAN, a collection of writing exemplars which helped to 
popularize the English Round Hand script in the 18th century. 
(#016455)        $6,000.00

http://www.charlesagvent.com/shop/agvent/016455.html?id=8UAGDC8P

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