Caulfield, James | Autograph manuscript of Portraits, Memoirs and Characters of Remarkable Persons

Caulfield, James

Autograph manuscript of Portraits, Memoirs and Characters of Remarkable Persons. [Np: ca. 1794]

4to (220 x 180 mm). Autograph manuscript, approximately 140 pages, written primarily on recto in sepia ink, with numerous engravings tipped in or inserted; stray spots, some marginal toning and fingersoiling, a few closed marginal tears, tears to a few corners where illustrations were once mounted, evidentially lacking some illustrations. Contemporary half red morocco and marbled paper-covered boards; covers detached, spine split, extremities rubbed with loss. In custom clamshell case.   

A working manuscript for Caulfield's Portraits, Memoirs and Characters of Remarkable Persons from the reign of King Edward III to the Revolution (1794-95). Caulfield had learnt his engraving skills from his father, and began amassing etchings from an early age. In 1790, he produced from his collection the first number of Portraits. The whole work was not collected until 1794-95, and formed a sort of "rouges gallery," which included biographical portraits of a notorious bookseller, incompetent criminals, James Poro and his parasitic twin, and Bampfylde Moore Carew, a cross dressing con-man and spurious clairvoyant (just to name a few).

REFERENCE:

Toole Stott 1350 

PROVENANCE:

Jane Caulfield (inscription on page 2) — Burton Sperber (bookplates to clamshell case)