COLLECTION OF FOUR 18TH CENTURY JOHANNES KIP HANDCOLORED COPPER ENGRAVINGS DEPICTING COUNTRY HOUSES AND GARDENS,Published London,1708-09. Four matted, of the period handcolored engravings from Britannia Illustrata or Views of Several of the Queens Palaces, as Also of the Principal seats of the Nobility and Gentry of Great Britain, published in 1708-09. Plates include Glocester City, Thomas Brown Esquire Alderman (#46795.1), Escher Place in ye County of Surrey, the Seat of Tho. Cotton Esq. & Philadelphia, his wife, Daughter and Heiress of his Excellency Sr. Tho. Lunck, Late Governor of Jamaica (#46797.1), Badmington in the County of Gloucester, one of the seats of the Most Noble and Potent Prince Henry Duke of Beufort (#46802.1) and Sprotbrough near Doncaster in the County of York, one of the Seates of the Honorable S. Godfey Copley Barronet (#46805.1). Two measuring 20 7/8" high x 24 1/2" wide, one measuring 20 1/2" high x 25 1/8" wide, and one measuring 20 3/4" high x 24" wide.
'Johannes Jan Kip (1652-1722) was a Dutch draftsman, engraver and print dealer. Together with Leonard Knyff he created engraved views of English country houses, represented in detail from the bird's-eye view, a pictorial convention for topography. Their major work was Britannia Illustrata: Or Views of Several of the Queens Palaces, as Also of the Principal seats of the Nobility and Gentry of Great Britain. Engraved on eighty copper plates in 1707 and published over the winter of 1708–9, the volume is among the most important English topographical publications of the 18th century. The architecture is rendered in great detail, and the settings of parterres and radiating avenues driven through woods or planted across fields, garden paths, gates and toolsheds are illustrated in detail. The images are staffed with figures and horses, coaches pulling into forecourts, water-craft on rivers, in line with the traditions of the low countries.' Estimate $800-1,000
The engraving, Sprotsborough having a crease to upper right corner with minor toning. Remaining sheets in very good condition, minor toning, good color and impression. All prints have the crease to the center related to being bound.
