James Gillray, rare 1805 first edition print, Elements of Skateing, framed

Description: Size: Frame 55 x 43 cm, print inside mount window 36.5 x 25 cm (to platemark 354 x 245 mm). Condition: Print in very good condition apart from two small areas of old tape staining, re-mounted in a good used frame. This is an original 1805 issue of one of a four-plate series of etchings by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey, the publisher with whom Gillray worked most closely during his life. It bears the original publisher's hand colour, including the grey border which just obscures the platemark. As well as using etching, Gillray used aquatint for the foreground, sky, shadow and some highlights of the principal figures' clothing. Each of the four prints in the series stand on their own, and focus on the curious practices of the main figures, the background being sketched in quite lightly. The good impression, original and correct hand colour and type of wove paper used confirm the fact that this is a first issue. There were later issues and copies, but this issue is rare.James Gillray (1756-1815) was one of the greatest caricaturists of the 18th century. There are few political cartoonists today who would not admit to some debt to Gillray’s work. Plenty of information may be found about the artist. As far as this set of prints is concerned, copies on the market are rare, but full sets are found in most major institutions, including the British Museum and the National Portrait Gallery in London, this print being ref NPG D12855

Price: 280 GBP

Location: Nottingham

End Time: 2025-01-04T11:02:06.000Z

Shipping Cost: 35.07 GBP