Praise. From Edward Young (1683-1765). Calligraphy by Thomas Tomkins. From The Beauties of Writing. Published in 1808. Size: 28 x 43.7 cms

Praise .

An original copperplate engraving dated 1777.

‘The love of Praise howeer concealed by art, Reigns more or less, & glows in every heart: The proud to gain it toils on toils endure, The modest shun it, but to make it sure. It aids the Dancer’s heel, the Writer’s head, And heaps ye Plain with mountains of the dead: Nor ends with Life, but nods in sable plumes, Adorns our hearse & flatters on our tombs.’

Words from The Love of Praise by Edward Young (1683-1765).

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 generally lightly marked. There is a dark mark to the bottom left and light foxing at the bottom right. There is light surface wear but the engraving is generally, considering its age, clean and fresh.