Fables Selected from the Works of Northcote, Bewick, and Others
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Authors
Bewick, Thomas
Northcote, James
Issue Date
1843
Type
Book, Whole
Language
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Abstract
There are 114 fables here, listed in a T of C at the beginning. I have made acquiring this book an opportunity for looking over Northcote editions that I have. The 1833 John Murray edition has 101 fables, listed in an AI at the beginning. Its rectangular illustrations are the basis for the (fewer) rectangular illustrations here, but a careful eye can distinguish clear differences between imitation and model. (The creators of the 1833 rectangles are listed at the back of that edition.) The 1848/70? Leavitt and Allen edition has 106 fables in its second part and seems to have the same rectangular illustrations as this 1843 edition. (Further study could well go into the supplemental designs in all three of these editions.) Dean and Son's 1855? Familiar Fables contains fifty fables with landscape-cameo illustrations; its finis page speaks curiously of the End of Northcote's Illustrated Fables (emphasis mine). I had thought that these were shortened versions of Northcote originals, but a quick check finds none of the titles or subjects here among those of Northcote's fables in the 1833 edition. Note also the advertisement on 111 for Northcote's Fables, re-edited by Miss Corner and re-embellished by Alfred Crowquill. In any case, Northcote is listed as artist for the engravings. Finally, the 1857 Routledge edition skips 1833's biographical sketch of Northcote but otherwise uses the same plates and pagination but inferior paper; it thus has the same 101 fables, with the original rectangular illustrations. It has a helpful Index to the Engravings at the end identifying each illustration, including the tail-pieces. The inexpensive Blake 1843 school edition is also done on inferior paper. There is ample room here for further investigation!
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Citation
Publisher
Alexander Blake