This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/26/2024
[CURIOUS CHARACTERS] Fifty Portraits of Remarkable and Curious People. [London and elsewhere, 1790s – 1830s]. Collection of 50 mounted engravings and prints of dwarfs, mental prodigies, beggars, and remarkable people of all descriptions, as chronicled in the works of Caufield, Kirby, and Wilson. Portraits include Jedediah Buxton (a large full-length portrait by Hauck), De Manfre the water spouter, Old Parr, Valentine Greatrakes the healer (“famous for curing several diseases and distempers by the stroke of his hand only.”), Simon Paap, H. Welby (“who lived 44 years in Grub Street without being seen by any person”), Battalia the stone eater, and various misers, imposters, wild men, masters of arts, butchers, hermits, etc. Gilt-lettered spine (“FREAKS”) over pebbled brown cloth, T.E.G. Small folio. Dawes bookplate. Plates neatly mounted and most in very good condition, with several uncommon images included. A fine collection.