18th May, 2022 10:30 GMT/BST

Books, Maps & Manuscripts

 
  Lot 2091
 

2091

Original Artwork
Browning Sr. (Robert) [1782-1866], Two albums of original 'grotesque style' artwork, comprising;
Album 1 - An illustrated manuscript story commencing 'Truth will out father - & must be told some time or other. & you may as well hear it at first as at last. - The fact is - my brother Tom and I are determined to see the world ....., on twenty-one pages, 185mm x 113mm, each page with an ink and watercolour caricature portrait of the men encountered, with ink manuscript below, individually mounted on album pages [followed by] eleven pencil caricatures, several with Arundel connections (see provenance below), each with manuscript description or comment, one loose, the other ten mounted on nine pages, album worn, several pages loose, lacking most of backstrip.
Album 2 - [Sketches from the Law Courts, 1831], thirty-one pencil portraits or caricatures, predominantly criminals, some are identified, including 'Black George', 'Tom Pipes' and 'Henry Gubbins of Dark House Lane, Gentleman', others give a location or commentary such as 'first appearance at Bow Street' or 'I'd rather see a Bearbait than a Coronation', pencil on laid paper, various sizes, one torn, thirty mounted on album pages, one loose, well worn album with loose pages, lacking backstrip.
[Provenance - descended from a neighbour of Brownings in Peckham, the family later moved to Arundel and maintained contact with Browning, loosely inserted is a three page autograph letter believed to be from Robert Browning Sr. (dated 1829), unfortunately the signature has been excised]
[Academic studies can be found online which discuss the influence of Browning Sr.'s 'Grotesque art' on the poetry of his son Robert Browning]

Sold for £4,000
Estimated at £400 - £600


 

Album 1; The album pages are age tanned, there is a ms title to front free endpaper 'Sketches by Robert Browning Esq. Father of the Poet by that name.' Some light foxing to endpapers, binding is 19th C. half leather but well worn as described.
Album 2; Album pages age tanned, same ms. title to front free endpaper as album 1 with the addition of 'Sketches from the Law Courts &c. ?emp. 1831', loose pages as described, well worn 19th C. half leather binding similar to other volume, lacking backstrip as described.

Album pages 24cm x 18.5cm. Sheets illustrated in catalogue approx 18.5cm x 11.5cm. Other sheets vary in size.

Lot 2091 - Original Artwork Browning Sr. (Robert)... Lot 2091 - Original Artwork Browning Sr. (Robert)... Lot 2091 - Original Artwork Browning Sr. (Robert)... Lot 2091 - Original Artwork Browning Sr. (Robert)...

 


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Auction: Books, Maps & Manuscripts, 18th May, 2022

Over 180 lots to include a broad selection, from early antiquarian books to modern first editions, alongside illustrations, private press, manuscripts, maps and atlases, early photographs, and historic documents. Amongst the highlights is a group of Victorian ephemera including a Paper Peepshow of the Thames Tunnel, and a very unusual leaf-cut picture of workers around a derelict tower and trees. Of North-East interest is a collection of approximately 240 19th and early 20th century photographs, and an outstanding archive of early drawings and plans relating to Radcliffe and Broomhill Collieries.

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Tuesday 17 May 10am-5pm and morning of sale from 8am. Viewing is open to the public, there is no need to make an appointment.

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