STEEL ENGRAVING - “DR. THOMAS MORELL” from the original by William Hogarth, engraved by J. Moore, published in the mid 1800’s.  This engraving is in very good condition. The actual engraving measures 6" x 4 5/8”, and is matted to 11" x 14" for easy framing.  The following is a description from “The Complete Works of William Hogarth”.   I will include a copy of this with the engraving.                                                 

In the year 1762, Mr. Hogarth gave to the public this excellent portrait of his intimate friend and neighbour; who, being very fond of music, was drawn by our artist in the character of a cynic philosopher, with an organ near him, which was his instrument. This portrait, engraved by Mr. Basire, and certainly and admirable likeness, was prefixed to Dr. Morell’s “Thesaurus” of Greek poetry, printed at Eton in 1762.

         Dr. Morell was born at Eton, in Buckinghamshire, March 18, 1703; his father’s name was Thomas, and his mother kept a boarding-house in the college. At the age of twelve he was admitted on the foundation at Eton school, and was elected thence to King’s College, Cambridge, August 3, 1722. He took his first degree in 1726, and became M. A. four years after. At Lady-day, 1731, he was appointed to the curacy of Kew, in Surrey, and was some time curate of Twickenham. July 6, 1733, he was admitted ad eundem at Oxford; and in 1737 became F.S.A., having just been instituted, at the presentation of his college, to the rectory of Buckland, Herts. In the following year he married Anne, daughter of Henry Barker, Esq., of Chiswick; and in July, 1743, became D. D. In 1775 he was appointed chaplain to the garrison at Portsmouth; and for several years preached the botanical lecture at Shoreditch church. He was a very early contributor to the Gentleman’s Magazine; but his first detached publication was a work entitled, Poems on Divine Subjects, original, and translated from the Latin of M. Hierom Vida. With large Annotations.  Lond., 1732, 8vo.  He was afterwards the author and editor of many learned works; and had at one time a newspaper controversy with the methodists, in which he was frequently known to display great quickness. He lived at Turnham Green, and was on terms of the greatest intimacy with Hogarth. He died, much lamented, February 19, 1784, and was buried eight days afterwards, at Chiswisk. In the epistles of Seneca, one of Dr. Morell’s posthumous works, there are many not unagreeable specimens of the garrulity of age. “Old as I am,” says the translator, “I never knew an injury which was not easily forgiven, nor a distress but what was tolerable, and, as the world goes, rather required a contemptuous smile than a tear.” This was at the close of life; and there are few but would be pleased to hear an old man make such a declaration. He imitated the peculiar manner of Seneca with considerable spirit, and at the same time gave a correct and faithful translation. He devoted a long life to classical learning; and though his attainments or his keenness were not equal to those of a Porson, he rendered many services to classical readers. Nor should it be forgotten that the calls of literature never rendered him neglectful of his duty as a clergyman.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE

Antique prints, etchings, engravings, and lithographs are printing processes, which use steel, copper, stone or wood blocks or plates to produce a picture on paper.

Most antique prints and engravings, which are seen on the internet today, are bookplates.  Because they are pages from a book, there are multiple copies in existence.  This does not, however, mean that they are "reproductions" that have been printed recently.  Because they were, at some point, part of books, some have been preserved in excellent condition, while others show signs of age, as yellow spots or darkness on the edge of the page from being handled.

Engravings, lithographs, ect., are high quality pieces of art, as it took a highly trained artist many hours of work to produce one.  Although there may be multiple copies still in existence, the date of the item should be stated in the auction, thus giving the buyer an idea of its age.

SHIPPING AND HANDLING - First Class Mail $4.50