10. BEWICK, Thomas (1753-1828).
A New Lottery Book of Birds and Beasts for Children to Learn their Letters by as soon as they can Speak. Newcastle: Printed by T[homas] Saint for W Charnley, 1771. 18mo (4 1/16 x 2 5/8 inches; 102 x 68mm). 48 wood-engraved illustrations. Original Dutch floral boards. Condition : slight browning along top and bottom margins of the first and final leafs, offsetting of the title-leaf to front paste-down; slight discoloration to binding, expertly rebacked. Provenance : A. Alfred Newton (bookplate)
first edition of bewick’s first children’s book (and the third publication known to contain his illustrations, following a 1770 mathematical text and an undated horn-book) . This is apparently the first state of this rare children's book, with "Bullfinch" misspelled (in later states a corrected paste-over slip was added). Bewick did these cuts at age eighteen while still an apprentice, five years before receiving the prize which launched him in his career as an innovative and celebrated woodblock engraver with his own workshop. They are his first animal cuts, a theme which would culminate in his magnificent British Birds and Quadrupeds . The use of the word "New" in our title refers back to Francis Newbery's Little Lottery-Book for Children (see Roscoe J223). 48 wood-engraved illustrations of birds and beasts, printed two to a page within decorative borders, facing letters of the alphabet in upper & lower case and italics, and followed by a syllabary and easy-reading exercises. Gottlieb 66; Hugo 4; Osborne p.725; Roscoe p.1.
est. $7000 – $10000