An Eulogium on The Ancient Poets. Calligraphy by Thomas Tomkins. From The Beauties of Writing. Published in 1808. Size: 28 x 43.7 cms

An Eulogium On The Ancient Poets.

An original copper plate engraving dated 1777.

‘Hail Bards triumphant! born in happier days; Immortal heirs of universal Praise! Whose honours with increase of Ages grow, As streams roll down enlarging as they flow: Nations unborn your mighty Names shall sound And Worlds applaud that must not yet be found !’

From An Essay on Criticism. Part 1. By Alexander Pope.

Calligraphy by Thomas Tomkins (1743-1816).

Engraved by Joseph Ellis.

Thomas Tomkins was a calligrapher. A friend of Samuel Johnson and Joshua Reynolds he used to demonstrate drawing a perfect circle with a quill pen. For many years he ran a school of calligraphy in Foster Lane, London. His works include ornamental titles to books including Thomas Macklin’s Bible and James Thompson’s The Seasons. Also a transcript of Horatio Nelson’s letter announcing his victory at the Battle of The Nile that was engraved and published.

Size: 28 x 43.7 cms or 11 x 17 1/4 inches.

This piece is from The Beauties of Writing, exemplified in a variety of plain and ornamental penmanship. ‘Designed to excite Emulation in this valuable Art’. Originally published in 1777, it was published again in 1808-9. It is from this later publication that this engraving is taken.

A rare engraving. I can find none for sale at this time.

Condition: Very Good. The surface is lightly marked. There is light surface wear but the engraving is generally, considering its age, clean and fresh.