Radnorshire Fine Arts Ltd

Description

The Thames.
Set of Nine Etchings and Drypoints.
Each signed in pencil with a hand written number and title on original mount. Framed and Glazed.
Each print with its mount were cut from a large format cloth covered binding with leather spine (53 x 46.5 cm). The inscriptions to the face of the binding tooled in gold. The name 'Maud' is shown within a rectangular box at the centre of the cover with Volume X to the bottom and title to top. One other volume is also available which is being sold seperatly and contains the same etchings the only difference being a monogram showing the initials 'MM' in place of the name 'Maud' to cover of binding, (selling unframed at £1400). This might suggest that these volumes were produced for a small number of clients. 'The Grey River', a large format book (an early example of the 'coffee-table' genre) was published in 1889 by Seeley and Co in a limited edition of 230 copies, the book is illustrated with many scenes along the Thames river by Menpes and was selling at the time for the high price of five guineas. Many of Menpes' illustrations are of industrial scenes - wharves, dredgers, bages and warehouses - while the text, by Justin McCarthy and Rosa Praed, is centred on history. There is no evidence to suggest that the etchings offered for sale had any text to accompany them and although related by subject matter the etchings published in 'The Grey River' do differ. List in numerical order.
96. East India Docks,(20.5 x 25.5 cm). 97. Evening,(20 x 20 cm). 98. West Side of Cannon Street Bridge,(20 x 20 cm). 99. Near Southwark Docks,(20 x 20). 100. Warehouses,(20 x20 cm). 101. Near Billingsgate Market,(20 x 30 cm). 102. Hay Barges,(20 x 20 cm). 103. Hammersmith,(20 x 30 cm). 104. St Pauls,(25 x 20 cm). Images (not shown) of Numbers 96,98,102 can be sent on request.