Beschreibung:

SMITH, Thomas, of Derby (c.1720-1767). [A collection of views, mostly Derbyshire and Yorkshire.] 1744-1751. Oblong 2° (488 x 630mm). 28 full-page engravings on guards. (A number of plates with faint dampstain, mostly marginal, a few more pronounced, a few marginal tears, two just reaching into the image, one repaired, occasional light marginal spotting and soiling, the last two plates creased.) 18th-century half-sheep over marbled boards (worn, ties lacking, spine defective, shelf-mark on spine and upper cover). 28 FINE AND RARE ENGRAVINGS MOSTLY OF DERBYSHIRE AND YORKSHIRE, strong impressions with great charm after Thomas Smith 16 of these by François Vivares, one of the founders of the English school of landscape engraving, 6 by James Mason ('ses estampes son très recherchées des amateurs' Benezit), A. Benoist, Roberts, Granville, and Smith himself. These include a numbered series of 8 dated 1743 (The Peak and Moorlands, Fishing near Matlock-Bath, Devil's Ass at Casteton, Matlock-Bath, Dove Dale etc.), 2 country seats dated 1744 (Chatsworth and Haddon), a group of 4 dated 1745 (Driving the stags at Lyme Park, Dunnington Cliff, Anchor Church, Hopping Mill Ware), 4 dated 1749 (Newstead Park, Waterworks at Belton, Hagley Park, Exton Park), 4 dated 1751 (Thorp Cloud, Matlock High Torr, Cataract on the River Tees, Gordal in Craven), and 6 others including a view of the Senatorial Bridge in Rome (Tinmouth Castle and Haven, Fountain's Abbey near Rippon, Petrifying Spring in Yorkshire, etc.) Thomas Smith of Derby, the father of John Raphael Smith was self-taught and is now primarily known as a topographical artist. Little is known of his life, other than his work: in addition to the present views, Smith also produced a series of engravings on the training of race horses published by Boydell in 1769. Smith died at Hot Wells, Bristol, on September 12th, 1767. Siltzer p.256; Benezit 9, 665.