A PROVISIONAL CHECKLIST OF THE LIBRARY OF THOMAS BEWICK

Drawn up for The Bewick Society by David Gardner-Medwin
Last corrected 10 December 2005.
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The Checklist  
Part 1. Books formerly in the possession of Thomas Bewick   

             CLASS I: History, Civil & Literary, Biography

 


THE CHECKLIST

PART 1

BOOKS FORMERLY IN THE POSSESSION OF THOMAS BEWICK (EXCLUDING BEWICK'S QUADRUPEDS AND BRITISH BIRDS, UNLESS LISTED IN ROBERT BEWICK’S SCHEDULES C-E, AND CHILDREN’S BOOKS NOT IDENTIFIED AS THOMAS’S PROPERTY)


CLASS I: History, Civil & Literary, Biography

1. *Abridgment of English History       (D1,?E,?U)

“Parcel/ Goldsmith Hisy Engd/ Grafton Picddy 4s.2d.” bought on 20.4.1803 (T&WA 1269/5) (U).

“English History” (E)

Possibly Goldsmith O. An Abridgment of the History of England, from the invasion of Julius Caesar, to the death of George the Second, by Dr. Goldsmith. And continued, by an eminent writer, to the Peace of Amiens, A.D. 1802. Eleventh edition. With heads by Bewick. London: Clarke and Co. Manchester; W. Jones, Liverpool; Hazard, Bath; and Rawson and Co. Hull, 1803, or an earlier edition.

Hugo (1866, No. 80) describes the 33 heads of Kings and Queens, as by Thomas Bewick.

2. Beauties of Biography, 2 vols. 12mo,            (A,C=,D1)

“1 vol Beauties of Biography” (A).

“Beauties of Biography 2 Vol. 12/mo” (C)

Probably The Beauties of Biography: containing the lives of the most illustrious persons who have flourished in Great Britain, France, ... and other parts of Europe ..., 2 vols. 12mo, London: G. Kearsley, 1777.

3. Biographical Dictionary 1794          (A,D1)

“Biographical Dictionary” (A).

“Biographical Dictionary  1794” (D).

(Possibly Strutt, J. A biographical dictionary: containing an historical account of all the engravers, from the earliest period of the art ..., (London: printed by J Davis for R. Faulder, 1784, 1785, no 1794 edition identified) - as suggested by Tattersfield, 2000.

An alternative is: A New Biographical Dictionary; or Pocket Compendium: containing a brief account of the lives and writings of the most eminent and remarkable persons in every age and nation. London: E. Newbery, 1794.) Details taken from an advertisement at the end of The Beauties of History (1796), see Dodd (5, below). The ESTC gives just eminent persons in the title and lists the publishers as G.G. & J. Robinson, J. Wallis, J. Scatcherd, and E. Newbery.

4. (*)A Compendious History of England, 1789.              (A,M13)

Wood engravings in the 1794 edition are by John Bewick (Tattersfield, 2001, JB11). The copy in A may have been of this edition.

“Compendious History of England, Wood cuts”  (A)

“History of England, with 32 cuts of Kings and Queens (imperfect), 12mo, T. Carnan, 1789.” (M13)

Editions: A Compendious History of England, from the Invasion by the Romans, to the present time ... London: T. Carnan, 1789 (illus. 12o); and

A Compendious History of England, from the Invasion by the Romans, to the War with France in MDCCXCIV. With Thirty-two cuts of all the Kings and Queens ..., London: GG & J Robinson, W Bent and J Scratcherd, 1794.      

(Bought by RG McKenzie in 1884 for 3/-.)

5. * Dodd, Dr. W. Beauties of History, 2nd edition, Vernor and Hood, 1796        (A,Bj,F,M195)

 “Beauties of History by the late Dr Dodd” (A).

“Beauties of History Vignettes by Bewick 1796” (F).

“Dodd, Dr. W. Beauties of History, 2nd edition, Vernor and Hood, 1796” (M195).

Doubtless: Dodd, W[illiam]. The Beauties of History; or, Pictures of Virtue and Vice: drawn from examples of men, eminent for their virtues or infamous for their vices. Selected for the Instruction and Entertainment of Youth. By the late W. Dodd LL.D. The second edition, with considerable additions and improvements and ornamented with vignettes by Bewick, London: Vernor and Hood, E. Newbery, and Darton and Harvey, 1796.

(Frontispiece, and vignettes by John Bewick.The vignettes are borrowed from The looking glass for the mind ... (see Tattersfield, 2000, JB39). The first edition (1795) is unillustrated and the third (1800) has many illustrations by other artists, with only a few vignettes that are possibly from the Bewick workshop.)

(Listed as Jane's in 1806. Bought by DC Thomson, for 5/-, 1884.)

6. (*)Dodd, Dr. W. Beauties of History ..., 3rd edition, 1800;                  (M163)

(Inscribed “The gift of T. Bewick to R.E. Bewick, on the first day of the new Century, 1st January, 1801” in Bewick's hand. Bought by Robert Robinson for £1-10-0, in 1884.)

7. Grimston. Historie of the Netherlands, folio; imperfect.         (K5,U)

Full-length copperplates of Kings and Governors.

(As above in K5).

“Histy of the Netherlands ... very imperfect with portraits on wood” (T&WA 1269/84) (U).

Probably: Edward Grimstone. A generall historie of the Netherlands: with the genealogie and memorable acts ...: continued unto ... 1608 ..., folio, London: A. Islip & G. Eld, 1608; or a later edition. It is intriguing that Jane Bewick and Kerslake differed as to whether the portraits were engraved on wood or copper.

8. Heylyn, P. Help to English History, 12mo, 1675.       (D1,K8,U)

“Heylen Help to English History with Arms 1 vol.” (D)

“A Help to English History B.P. Heyliss[?] D.D. printed for Thos Basset 1675 printed by C. Wilkinson” (T&WA 1269/84) (U).

“Help to English History. By P. Heylyn. 1675, 12mo” (K8).

(Probably: [Heroologia] Anglorum; or, an help to English History: containing a succession of all the Kings of England ... continued to this present year, 12mo, London: 1675)

9. [Historical Questions             (F)

Not identified, possibly something like:

Historical Questions from the Bible, with answers, 3rd edit, Bath: Hazard, 1798; or

An epitome of Scriptural History. To which are added Historical Questions, designed as exercises for young persons, Newport Pagnell: J. Ward, 1819.]

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10. History of the Bastille          (A)

Possibly: History of the Castle of the Bastille by one who has been long confined there, Editions 1789 and 1791 (as suggested by Tattersfield, 2001); or

Craufurd, Quentin. The history of the Bastile [sic]: with a concise account of the late revolution in France ... , London: T. Cadell, 1790.

11. History of  [?Horre]                        (U)

“Mr Scott for 12 Numbers Histy Horre[?] £2.14.0” paid 10.4.1811 (T&WA 1269/6).

The scanty clues and illegible crucial word may make this unidentifiable. Nor was there a bookseller called Scott in Newcastle; an auctioneer in Gateshead, Robert Scott, is a bare possibilty (Mitchell’s Directory, 1801).

12. History of the War of 1741 and Rebellion of 1745            (D1,E)

“History of the War of 1741 & Rebelln 1745” (D).

“History of the War of 1741” (E).

Probably: Voltaire, M. de. The history of the war of seventeen hundred and forty-one; containing the history of that war till the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748. ... to which is annexed a particular account of the rise, progress, and extinction of the Rebellion in G. Britain in 1745 and 1746. Edinburgh: W. Gray, 1758; or the earlier London edition published by J. Nourse in 1756.

13. (*)Hume, [David]. History of England, 16 Vols. 8vo.                       (C=,D1,E,M83)

“Hume's Histy of England 9 Vols. 8/vo” (C & D) “... 15 Vols” (E)

“Hume and Smollett's History of England, 16 vols., 1803, half-calf, gilt” (M83).

Hugo (1868 No 4152) reports an 8 volume edition of Hume (1803) with tailpieces, some of which he believed to be by Bewick; probably the 12mo Edinburgh edition of 1803. Numerous editions were published and many ‘sets’ were a mixture of editions. Hume’s volumes covered the period before and Smollett’s that after the revolution of 1688.   

(Bought by DC Thomson for 8/6, in 1884.)

14. [Life of John Elwes             (U)

Possibly: Edward Topham. The life of John Elwes, Esquire, Member in three successive British Parliaments for Berkshire, London: Berry & Rogers, 1790.

“The Life of John Elwes 2 books 1s.” paid on 13.3.1790 (T&WA 1269/2).]

15. Murray, [Revd J.] History of the American War, 2 vols. 8vo            (C=,D1,E)

“Murray's American War. 2 Vols: 8/vo” (C & D).

Probably the Revd James Murray An impartial history of the present war in America; containing and account of its rise and progress, the political spring thereof, with its various successes and disappointments on both sides, 2 vols. 8vo (Newcastle: T. Robson, Side [and others], n.d. [1778]). A third volume, started by Murray, was finished by the Revd W. Graham (1781).

(The Rev James Murray of Newcastle for whom Thomas Bewick engraved a copper plate of the “Theban Harp” as his first job after returning from London in June 1777 (Memoir, p. 77. Accounts of Murray will be found in Welford (1895) and Ashraf (1983)).

16. Narrative of the Rebellion in 1745, 12mo. 1779.     (C=,D1)

“Narrative of the Rebellion in 1745 - 12mo” (D).

Probably: A short and true narrative of the rebellion in 1745 beginning with the Young Chevalier’s entry into the West of Scotland, until his banishment out of France, 180p.12mo, Edinburgh: for the booksellers, 1779;

but possibly a later edition of: Galloway, Robert. Poems, epistles and songs, chiefly in the Scottish dialect ... narrative of the Rebellion in 1745, Glasgow: R. Galloway, 1788.

17. Pennant, Thomas. The Literary Life of, by himself, 1 vol. royal 4to or Folio, 1793, boards.      (C=,D1,F,M131)

“Pennant's Literary Life  Folio 1793” (C), “4to” (D and F), “royal 4to” (M).

No doubt: The literary life of the late Thomas Pennant, Esq., by himself, 4to, London: Benjamin & John White, and R. Faulder, 1793.

(Bought by Jarvis and Son for 4/-, in 1884.)

18. [Plutarch Lives, 6 vols. 12mo, half-calf, 1826.            (M30)

(Bought by J Myles, for 5/-, in 1884.)]

19. Richardson, Josh Literary Relics 1 vol. 4to, 1807       (C=,D1)          

“Literary Relics of late Josh Richardson. 1 Vol 4/to 1807” (C).

“Richardsons Literary Relics 1 Vol. 1807” (D).

Doubtless: Richardson, Joseph. Literary relics consisting of the comedy of “The Fugitive”, and a few short poems, 4to, London: 1807.

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20. Robertson History of England, 2 vols. 4to, 1784.      (C=,D1,E)

Probably an edition of: Rapin-Thoyras, Paul de. The History of England from the earliest periods. Newly translated, corrected, and revised: and continued to the present time ... by H. Robertson. [an edition London: J. Robins & Co., 1820; several late 18th century translations from the French exist; none dated 1784 by Robertson yet identified.]

21. *A Sketch of Universal History,       (A)

Doubtless: A Sketch of Universal History. To which is added, a brief chronology of the most remarkable events in theHistory of England ... London: J. Stockdale, 1789. With 36 wood cuts of the heads of kings by John Bewick (Tattersfield, 2001, JB57).

22. Smollett History of England, 15 vols. 8vo, half-calf, 1758     (C=,D1,E,M79)

“Smollett's History of England 15 Vols: 8/vo” (C,D,E)

“Smollett History of England, 15 vols. 8vo, half-calf, 1758” (M79)

Probably: Smollett TG. A History of England from the Revolution to the death of George the Second: (designed as a continuation of Mr Hume's History), 8vo. (The British Library catalogue records 1757/8 and 1758/60 London (Rivington & Fletcher) editions of 4 and 11 volumes, but none of 15 volumes.)

Smollett’s early editions had the title A complete history of England, from the descent of Julius Caesar, to the Treaty of Aix la Chapelle, (eg the London edition of 1748).

(Bought by RG McKenzie for 6/-, in 1884. Bewick wrote ‘I had read Smolletts Works and almost adored him as an Author’ (Memoir p. 63).)

23. [Straker Life of Sir Walter Blackett, 1819.   (M28)

Probably J[ohn] S[traker], Memoirs of the public life of Sir Walter Blackett, of Wallington, baronet: with a pedigree ... Newcastle: S. Hodgson, 1819.

(Bought for 9/- by Major Cowen, in 1884.)]

24. Thomson, [Revd. George]. Spirit of General History, 1791. (C=,D1,E)

“Thompson's Spirit of General History. 1791” (C).

“Spirit of General History by Revd Geo. Thompson” (E).

Probably: the Revd. George Thomson. The spirit of general history, in a series of lectures from the eighth to the eighteenth century ... , 4to, Carlisle: printed by Jollie for B. Law, 1791.

25. (*)[Thompson] Life of John Thompson, Mariner, ...,  1817.            (C=,D1,E,U)

“Life of John Thompson, Mariner” (C).

“Life of John Thompson” (D).

“Life of John Thompson, Mariner 1817” (E).

“The Russian Sailor’s Book 4s.” paid on 8.12.1810 (T&WA 1269/6) (U).

(Seven days earlier the cash book records the receipt of £8 for “The Poor Russian Sailor – John Thompson’s” with a marginal sketch of a man with a thigh amputation sitting on the ground – presumably the poor sailor in question. The implication seems to be that Bewick had supplied illustrations to the considerable tune of £8 and then bought a copy of the book.)

No doubt: Life of John Thompson, Mariner, written by himself: also, his Divine Selections in Prose and Verse, from esteemed authors, (the 12mo, 1810 edition was printed by J. Catnach for the author in Newcastle; this seems to fit the copy recorded in the cash book. No 1817 edition has yet been identified). The author says in the opening paragraph that his real name was Godfried Thomas Leschinsky; he was born in Riga.

Hugo (1866, No 259) claims it has two tailpieces by Thomas Bewick.

26. Ure, David, AM.  History of Rutherglen, 1793.       (C=,D1)

“History of Rutherglen by Davd Ure AM. 1793” (C).

“Ure's Dd History of Rutherglen 1793” (D).

Probably: David Ure. The history of Rutherglen and East-Kilbride, published with a view to promote the study of antiquity and natural history. Illustrated with plates, Glasgow: printed by D. Niven, 1793.

(Bewick mentions Dr David Ure LLD of Glasgow as the first person to embarrass him by praising the Quadrupeds (Memoir, p.107). The natural history content is slight with the exception of the geology, especially fossils, and an extensive section on leeches! The quite numerous Newcastle subscribers do not include Bewick. Both Bewick and Ure (then of Edinburgh) were subscribers to Bonner on Bee-hives (118 q.v.) in 1795.)

27. Whiston [William] Works of Flavius Josephus, History of the Jews 1 vol. 4to, 1784             (C=,D1,E)

“Works of Flavius Josephus 4/to 1784 'Whiston's” (C).

“Whiston's Works of Fs Josephus, Histy of Jews 1 Vol 4/to” (D)

“Whiston's Josephus (Quarto)” (E).

Probably one volume of (or a copy, bound in one volume, of): The genuine works of Flavius Josephus, translated ... by William Whiston, 2 vols. Newcastle upon Tyne: Printed by L. Dinsdale and sold for him and T. Angus, 1784.

28. Yate On Parliamentary Reform, 2 vols. 8vo 1812    (C)

“Yate on Parliamentary Reform, 2 Vol. 8/vo 1812” (C).

No doubt: Yate, W.H. Political and historical arguments, proving the necessity of a Parliamentary Reform, and pointing out the means ... 2 vols. Edinburgh: printed by A. Balfour for M. Jones, Simcoe, etc (London) and many others including Charnley & Son (Newcastle), 1812.

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