Graham Carlisle reports a break-through find using the online facility available from the Wordsworth Trust.
For a number of years I have been researching two sets of india paper proofs of Bewick's Birds, Quadrupeds & Vignettes. Bound in 19th century morocco, the sets were bought from an American dealer who acquired them from the illustrious hands of the famous Rosenbach. No signs of previous ownership, old bookplates removed!
The American knew little about them other than this, he thought they were advertising cuts!!
The workshop archives suggested Jane Bewick had compiled two such albums at a charge of £4.4s.0d. Using the different Newcastle archive sources, I built a case for the two albums having been purchased by the famous bookseller: William Pickering. Mine being one, the other now with the Metropolitan Museum of Art NY via the Jupp collection.
This is the result of inserting the search term 'Pickering' in the Wordsworth Trust digital archive (abreviated):
Wordsworth Trust Manuscripts: Letter to Thomas Bewick # 2013.57.3.56
London March 17, 1825
Dear Sir
… I wish to have the other copy of the India Paper Quadrupeds & should be glad to have the Birds – in the same state I think the vignettes form an inseparable part of the books… If you could accommodate me with an entire set of india impressions of the Birds, Quadrupeds & Vignettes at a moderate cost. For myself (not for sale) – I should be much obliged they have been favourite works with me for many years & and which I have from liking commended & pushed(?) to a considerable extent(?). I remain Dear Sir, Yrs very truly, W. Pickering
Wordsworth Trust Manuscripts: Letter to Thomas Bewick # 2013.57.3.57
57 Chancery Lane
March 23, 1825
Dear Sir
… I should like to have 2 or 3 setts of the Birds India Paper with the vignettes – mounted or unmounted should you mount any more copies of the Cutts. You will find that they answer better by pasting the inner & outer edge all the way – than at the corners indeed(?) it would save trouble & be cheaper to take off a few copies when the books are reprinting – entirely upon India Paper – which I think I could supply if you any difficulty in procuring it at Newcastle rather thicker than usual.
The Birds upon India Paper I should be glad to receive as early as possible… I remain, Sir, Your obt. Servt. W. Pickering
PS Have you any India Paper impressions of the Great Bull & Lion, if so send four of each with the beforementioned…
Well done the team at Grasmere.
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