Set of Six Plates on Fox Hunting, A.

London: Thos. McLean, 1820. A Fine Set of Six Hand Colored Etched Plates on Fox Hunting

ALKEN, Henry. A Set of Six Plates on Fox Hunting by Henry Alken 1820 [cover title]. London: Thomas McLean, 1820.

Oblong folio (11 3/4 x 17 3/8 inches; 298 x 441 mm.). Specially printed title-page Six fine hand-colored etched plates, all plates window-mounted on stubs. (platemark size: 7 3/8 x 9 5/8 inches; 182 x 244 mm.). All plates with imprint "London, Published by Thos. McLean, Hay Market, 1820"

Bound ca. 1960 in three quarter red morocco over pink boards decoratively ruled in ruled in gilt. Front cover with large rectangular red morocco label decoratively bordered and lettered in gilt. Spine with five raised bands, decoratively ruled and lettered in gilt, white endpapers, edges speckled blue.

This fine set of plates depict the huntsmen having a drink at the inn and preparing for the hunt; gathering the hounds; ready to enter the field; the hounds find the scent; the huntsmen and hounds in full chase; success! one of the huntsmen holding the dead fox.

From the estate of Arnold "Jake" Johnson (1930-2017) of Bozeman, Montana. A true bibliophile, Johnson was an inveterate collector of rare items related to travel, expeditions in India and Africa, English sporting and color-plate, 19th century big game hunting, and Western Americana. To be offered in a series of sales, the Collection comprises hundreds of rare books, hand-written accounts of hunting expeditions, striking examples of 19th century photographic travel albums, and elusive bibliographies and facsimiles of major works.

Siltzer, p. 58 (referring to the plates as aquatints); Not in Abbey; Not in Mellon/Podeschi; Not in Schwerdt; Not in Tooley;.