The fables of Æsop, and others, with designs on wood, by Thomas Bewick.
Thomas Bewick (Cherryburn 1753 - Gateshead 1828)
Category
Books
Date
1818
Materials
Leather and paper
Measurements
22 x 14.3 cm
Place of origin
Newcastle upon Tyne
Order this imageCollection
Wallington, Northumberland
NT 3021359
Caption
Aesop’s Fables is a compendium of popular stories, most with a moral purpose, written sometime in the 6th century bc. Many versions of the Fables have been published over the centuries, and this illustrated edition of 1818 by the Northumbrian artist, engraver and naturalist Thomas Bewick (1753–1828) also included some stories of his own. By this date he had already published the successful illustrated books A General History of Quadrupeds (1790) and History of British Birds (1797 & 1804). Bewick’s edition of the Fables contains nearly 200 wood engravings, illustrating stories such as ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf’ and ‘The Boasting Traveller’. The book was a labour of love that he undertook while recovering from a serious illness. It was printed by subscription, and to ensure that it couldn’t be copied and cheaply reproduced, each book was verified with an engraving of his thumbprint. This copy was produced for Bewick’s friend and supporter John Trevelyan (1761–1846), who lived at Wallington in Northumberland, and contains a receipt made out to him. The National Trust also cares for Bewick’s birthplace, Cherryburn in Northumberland.
Summary
Full description
The Fables is the final work of the influential Northumbrian wood-engraver Thomas Bewick, unusual because Bewick also supplied his own text. A long-cherished project produced during recovery from a serious illness which affected his hands, it features engravings designed on the wood by Bewick but cut mainly by his apprentices William Temple and William Harvey. Printed by subscription, the books were verified with a receipt bearing an engraving of Bewick’s thumbprint and facsimile seaweed. This copy is made out to his friend John Trevelyan (1761-1846), who managed the family’s Northumberland estate at Wallington after the retirement of his father, Sir John Trevelyan, 4th Baronet (1735-1828). By 1818, Sir John and his family had known Bewick for many years, having enthusiastically supplied specimens and information for his British Birds, as well as helping to promote his books. Bewick was also invited to visit Wallington to fish and ramble. The receipt therefore bears witness to the support and friendship given over many years by this intellectually-curious country family to the pioneering local craftsman and artist. (Nicola Thwaite 2021)
Bibliographic description
xxiv,376p. : ill. ; demy 8vo. Demy octavo copy. With a thumb mark receipt made out to John Trevelyan Esq. [i.e. John Trevelyan (1761-1846), later 5th Baronet], dated 1st October 1818, pasted onto title leaf verso. The paper is watermarked: W1816.. Provenance: purchased on publication by John Trevelyan (1761-1846), later 5th Baronet. Nineteenth century pictorial armorial bookplate, lettered: Sir Walter Calverley Trevelyan Bart. [i.e. Sir Walter Calverley Trevelyan (1797-1879)]. Arms: Trevelyan impaling Jermyn. Signed W.B.S. (William Bell Scott - see Fincham p.82) Franks 29799. Binding: Half leather; marbled boards; marbled edges; black spine label; gilt on spine.
Provenance
Gifted with the property by Sir Charles Philips Trevelyan, 3rd Bt, in 1941
Makers and roles
Thomas Bewick (Cherryburn 1753 - Gateshead 1828), author William Harvey (1796 - 1866), engraver (printmaker) Temple, William, 1798-1837, engraver (printmaker) Thomas Bewick (Cherryburn 1753 - Gateshead 1828), illustrator
References
Uglow, 2006: Jennifer S. Uglow, Nature’s engraver: a life of Thomas Bewick. London: Faber, 2006., pp.343-347 Bain 2005: Iain Bain, Bewick, Thomas (1753–1828) Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, 7 March 2021 https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-2334.