This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/24/2024
[FAWKES]. Bartholomew Fair, 1721. London: J.F. Setchel, [1824?]. Etched fan leaf on wove paper depicting, in outline form, the popular entertainments at this annual London fair including The Siege of Gibraltar peep show, rope dancing, the “Dexterity of Hand” and “famous posture master” of noted conjurer Isaac Fawkes, and an early form of the Ferris Wheel, among other pastimes. 11 7/8 x 22 ½”. SCARCE in any state, but generally encountered as an aquatint; this is the only example with which we are acquainted with the figures outlined.A TLS from Edward Croft-Murray, Keeper of the British Museum’s Department of Prints and Drawings, accompanies the lot. Dated 1970, it states in part, “I am afraid I know nothing about what might be termed different ‘states’ of the aquatint… I would be very much interested to see your outline drawing some time … is it not possible that this is some kind of tracing after the original?” (It is in fact printed, not traced.)