A Practical Essay on Flower Painting in Water Colours

24 aquatint plates: 6 plates in 3 states (uncolored, partially colored and fully colored), 2 plates in 2 states (uncolored line and uncolored aquatint), 2 color plates (including a color chart and one plate half colored, half uncolored), as issued. Oblong small folio. The author served as the drawing master at Rugby School and here offers lessons illustrated with progressive plates of flowers and floral arrangements. "The necessity of an Improved Essay on Flower Painting is obvious. The present Work is offered to the Public; and, it is hoped, may claim some degree of notice. The difficulties of this art, principally at the beginning, is the management of shadows; which in the present work is explained by several lessons on Indian Ink, or Neutral Tint [i.e. the uncolored plates in two states], continuing progressively till arrived at finished groupes [i.e. the plates in three states: uncolored, partially colored and fully colored]" (Introduction). The plates include imprints dated 1810, with the date on the title seemingly altered in manuscript to 1812. Scarce, with only six examples cited by OCLC. Not in Abbey Original brown paper covered boards with red morocco lettering piece on the upper cover, rebacked with calf. A bit worn at edges and corners, trimmed close touching imprints on some of the plates, minor finger soiling 24 aquatint plates: 6 plates in 3 states (uncolored, partially colored and fully colored), 2 plates in 2 states (uncolored line and uncolored aquatint), 2 color plates (including a color chart and one plate half colored, half uncolored), as issued. Oblong small folio. …