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ANDREW & NATHANIEL PLIMER, MINIATURE PAINTERS: THEIR LIVES AND THEIR WORKS.
(London: George Bell & Sons, 1903). 320 x 230 mm. (12 3/4 x 9). xv, [1], 163, [1] pp. No. 128 OF 365 COPIES.
SUPERB OLIVE GREEN MOROCCO COSWAY-STYLE BINDING BY RIVIERE & SON (stamp-signed on front turn-in), EACH COVER WITH FIVE MINIATURE PORTRAITS UNDER GLASS inspired by the work of the Plimers, these surrounded by ornate gilt strapwork and flowering vines, raised bands, spine compartments filled with a leafy floral spray, gilt lettering, gilt-ruled turn-ins with floral cornerpieces, burgundy endpapers, top edge gilt, other edges untrimmed. Housed in contemporary chamois-lined burgundy morocco pull-off box. With five full-page illustrations of the Plimers' pencil sketches, and 50 black & white plates reproducing groups of miniature portraits, all with lettered tissue guards identifying the owner and the subjects of the paintings. Stephen Ratcliffe, "List of Authentic Cosway Bindings," citing "Renaissance" sale catalogue, item #129 in Cosway Bindings, Part II. Occasional trivial smudges, but A VERY FINE COPY, clean, fresh, and bright internally, IN A SPARKLING BINDING.
This is an exquisite specimen of the so-called Cosway-style binding, studded with miniatures that reproduce the work of two painters who trained under the "Cosway" whose name is attached to this particularly recognizable binding design. The Cosway style of binding, with painted miniatures inlaid in handsome morocco, apparently originated with the London bookselling firm of Henry Sotheran about 1909, when art historian George C. Williamson's book on the miniaturist Richard Cosway was remaindered by Sotheran and given this special decorative treatment. The name "Cosway" then was used to describe any book so treated, whatever its subject. Our subject here is the brothers Andrew (1763-1837) and Nathaniel (1757-1822) Plimer, who came from a family of Shropshire clockmakers but who ran away to London to pursue their artistic dreams. They trained under the aforesaid Cosway before launching their own successful careers as miniature portraitists. Like Cosway's biography, Williamson (1858-1942) wrote the Plimers' story, that account being printed in the present volume, along with abundant illustrations of their miniatures, 10 of which are reproduced on the covers of our striking binding. These cover portraits are reminiscent of the work of Caroline Billin Currie (1849-1940), who executed finely painted miniatures on Cosway bindings from 1910 until her death, usually for bindings executed (as here) by the long-established Riviere bindery. Because Currie's work is normally signed, we do not think these cover paintings were done by her, but, in any case, the delicacy of the 18th century originals is recreated here with a deft hand in soft pastels that seem to glow next to the surrounding rich green morocco. Stephen Ratcliffe, who may well have studied Cosway bindings more than anyone, lists and pictures our volume in his definitive catalogue, but he does not comment on the painter. (ST21000b)
Price: $45,000.00