(HOTHFIELD, Henry James Tufton, Baron).

Catalogue of a Collection of Miniatures belonging to the Lord Hothfield. Compiled at his Request by Dr. G. C. Williamson.

xii, 159, 159*-162*, 163-178 pp., 8 blank leaves, one leaf of colophon. Small 4to, orig. cloth-backed light blue boards (extremities slightly rubbed), t.e.g., others uncut. London: Chiswick Press, 1916.

One of 60 numbered copies of this privately printed catalogue describing a famous collection of miniatures, with many contemporary annotations. Hothfield (1844-1926), a Liberal politician, has inscribed this copy to “L.S. Myers” on April 24th, 1918. In the preface, George C. Williamson (1858-1942), a leading expert on miniatures, writes that this collection “is composed almost exclusively of miniatures belonging to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and whilst the foremost men of that wonderful period are represented in adequate fashion, one of its charms consists in the presence of equally fine examples by many of the lesser known painters whose works are not so often to be seen.” Artists listed herein include Shelley, Smart, Cosway, and Engleheart.

The catalogue provides extensive descriptions for more than 100 miniatures up to page 131, then enumerates miniatures for which the author is unknown through the end. One gathering (159*-162*) has been added to account for the miniatures which Hothfield purchased as the present work was being printed. At the end there is a list of the miniatures and their location in display cases, followed by an “Index of Persons Mentioned in the Catalogue.”

Very good copy. On the first blank leaf, an unknown contemporary hand has added further acquisitions by Hothfield which were not made in time to appear in print. This same hand has also made several corrections throughout the catalogue. Later inscription: “K. M. Guichard, June 1945.”.

Price: $1,500.00

Item ID: 6063