Eight Representations of Shooting

Cambridge: W.D. Jones, at His Repository of Arts..., 1813. A scarce set of amusing shooting incidents. In draftsmanship and colouring they are superior to "Indispensable Accomplishments." (Schwerdt). FRANKLAND, Sir Robert, Illustrator. Eight Representations of Shooting. Engraved by Woodman & Turner from Drawings by Robert Frankland Esqr. To whom these Plates are most Respectfully dedicated by his very Obedient & Obliged Ser[van]t. W.D. Jones. Cambridge: W.D. Jones, 1813. First edition. Oblong quarto (7 7/8 x 11 inches; 200 x 280 mm.). Engraved title-page and eight amusing hand colored engraved plates. Each plate bears the publisher's name and address with the date Aug. 1st, 1813. All plates with original tissue guards. Publisher's stiff paper wrappers with printed label lettered "Shooting." Original? red roan spine. Housed in a felt-lined half black morocco clamshell case, spine with five raised bands decoratively ruled and lettered in gilt. "A scarce set of amusing shooting incidents. In draftsmanship and colouring they are superior to "Indispensabe Accomplishments." (Schwerdt). "Issued in paper wrappers with printed label lettered "Shooting." (Tooley). "A rare set of plates showing shooting mishaps, poking fun at the gentleman hunter." (Bobins). OCLC locates just four copies in libraries and institutions worldwide: Art Institute of Chicago (IL, US); Harvard University Library (MA, US); Yale University Library (CT, US); Transylvania University (KY, US). We know of one other copy in the Bobins The Exotic and the Beautiful - The World in Colour Collection. The Victoria & Albert Museum in South Kensington, London have just one of the plates. The last copy to appear at auction was in 2008 (Christie's S. Kensington, Sept. 1st, 2008, lot 100. (£4,200/$7,477). The Plates: 1. Grouse shooter and wounded dog; horseman bogged in distance. 2. Sportsman with gun following bird; dog worrying sheep. 3. Sportsman firing at hare; second sportsman wounded. 4. Sportsman watching dog pursuing hare; birds disappearing. 5. Sportsman raising right arm; dogs approaching wounded bird. 6. Sportsman whipping dog, second dog with bird in mouth; gun on the ground. 7. Sportsman climbing hedge, second sportsman following with dog and pointing gun dangerously; birds disappearing. 8. Sportsman fallen, with broken gun; pheasant escaping. Bobins III, 1179; Schwerdt 1, 286; Tooley 230.