178 - Smith, Charles Hamilton

Smith, Charles Hamilton Travel and Memoir Album, with 25 (4 full-page) hand-painted watercolor drawings and 4 pencil drawings. Plymouth, ca. 1822. 4°. 1 (blank), 25 leaves, 2 (blank), 2 leaves, 1 (blank), 11 leaves, 1 (blank), 2 leaves, 1 (blank), 1 leaf, 44 (blank) leaves. Blind-stamped contemporary leather binding with filleted covers and floral corner decoration, raised and interior edge decoration, triple-folded, punched gold edges (slightly rubbed and scuffed; spine faded and discreetly restored). Large-format album by the well-known English officer, draftsman, and naturalist Charles Hamilton Smith (1776, Vrommenhofen – 1859, Plymouth). "From his youth, Smith was a diligent observer and draftsman with an interest in numerous subjects, particularly historical, natural history, and topographical matters. He became involved in the study of uniforms and costumes at an early age. His work *Costumes of the Army of the British Empire* provides accurate depictions of contemporary British uniforms. In the field of costume studies, he collaborated at times with Samuel Rush Meyrick. His primary interest, however, lay in natural history. He was friends with the French anatomist Georges Cuvier (1769–1832) and contributed to the four volumes on mammals in the work *General and Particular Descriptions of the Vertebrated Animals* (1827), which was based on a translation of Cuvier’s *Le règne animal*. He also authored several volumes of the series *The Naturalist’s Library*, edited by William Jardine (see Wikipedia). This album impressively demonstrates his skill as a draftsman and provides a comprehensive cross-section of his work. All drawings are by the same artist and, with a few exceptions, are titled. Four drawings, as was his custom, are hand-monogrammed “CHS.”—Partly slightly yellowed and with light brown spots. Travel and Memoir Album. With 25 (4 full-page) watercolor sketches and 4 pencil drawings. — Contemporary blind-stamped leather binding with filleted cap and floral corner decoration, raised and inner edge decoration, three-sided, punched gold edging (slightly rubbed and scuffed; spine faded and discreetly restored). - A large-format album by the well-known English officer, illustrator, and naturalist Charles Hamilton Smith (1776, Vrommenhofen – 1859, Plymouth). This album impressively showcases his skill as a draftsman and provides a comprehensive overview of his work. All of the drawings are by the same artist and, with a few exceptions, are titled. Four drawings, as was his custom, are hand-monogrammed “CHS.”—Some pages are slightly yellowed and have light brown spots. This lot is subject to standard tax. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union. This work is subject to the standard tax regime. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints, and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.