Jun 25, 2026 10:00 EST
The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
107
Very rare series of plates depicting the British 1st Regiment of Foot Guards, colored by Thomas Girtin
Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
KIRK, THOMAS, engraver and EDWARD DAYES, artist
Military Figures No. 1. [hand-lettered cover title] London: Capt. Hewgill of the Coldstream Regt. of Guards, & Sold by John & Josiah Boydell, Cheapside, & at the Shakespeare Gallery, Pall Mall, [1792.] Modern grey wrappers, original wrappers bound in (lettered as above), retaining what are likely the original tissue guards. 15 1/2 x 19 inches (39.5 x 48.25 cm); 18 plates engraved by Kirk after drawings by Dayes and hand-colored in watercolor by Thomas Girtin. Stains to original wrappers, some dust soiling, chipping and small folds at sheet edges, a marginal tear or two, one plate with minute stitch holes in the upper margin and near the gutter. The plates are richly colored.
A very rare series published by the firm of Boydell depicting the uniforms worn between 1650 and 1685 by the British First Regiment of Foot Guards, with engravings by Thomas Kirk—a pupil of Richard Cosway—after drawings by Edward Dayes, whose work is said to have influenced a young J.M.W. Turner. According to Rare Book Hub, the series was last offered at auction by Sotheby's in 1933, but that copy comprised only 9 unbound colored plates. According to FirstSearch, there is one institutional copy at Brown University with 13 plates, and another copy at the Universitats- Und Landesbibliothek Darmstadt (no collation). An extensive article at https://www.thomasgirtin.com/collection/catalogue/first-regiment-of-foot-guards-1660-drummer-and-private discusses the coloring of the series, which had previously been attributed to the young J.M.W. Turner. This article convincingly suggests that the colorist was Thomas Girtin, then an apprentice in Dayes' studio. Girtin, noted as a watercolorist, was a friend of Turner's and an important figure in establishing watercolor as a respected artistic medium, though ironically Dayes thought little of him and was dismissive of his work in later years. The quality of coloring in these plates is little short of extraordinary, with a painterly quality that makes them fresh and lively. We do not locate another copy with 18 plates in libraries or institutions worldwide.
Sold for $1,024
Estimated at $400 - $600
Includes Buyer's Premium
Collection of a Florida Bibliophile
KIRK, THOMAS, engraver and EDWARD DAYES, artist
Military Figures No. 1. [hand-lettered cover title] London: Capt. Hewgill of the Coldstream Regt. of Guards, & Sold by John & Josiah Boydell, Cheapside, & at the Shakespeare Gallery, Pall Mall, [1792.] Modern grey wrappers, original wrappers bound in (lettered as above), retaining what are likely the original tissue guards. 15 1/2 x 19 inches (39.5 x 48.25 cm); 18 plates engraved by Kirk after drawings by Dayes and hand-colored in watercolor by Thomas Girtin. Stains to original wrappers, some dust soiling, chipping and small folds at sheet edges, a marginal tear or two, one plate with minute stitch holes in the upper margin and near the gutter. The plates are richly colored.
A very rare series published by the firm of Boydell depicting the uniforms worn between 1650 and 1685 by the British First Regiment of Foot Guards, with engravings by Thomas Kirk—a pupil of Richard Cosway—after drawings by Edward Dayes, whose work is said to have influenced a young J.M.W. Turner. According to Rare Book Hub, the series was last offered at auction by Sotheby's in 1933, but that copy comprised only 9 unbound colored plates. According to FirstSearch, there is one institutional copy at Brown University with 13 plates, and another copy at the Universitats- Und Landesbibliothek Darmstadt (no collation). An extensive article at https://www.thomasgirtin.com/collection/catalogue/first-regiment-of-foot-guards-1660-drummer-and-private discusses the coloring of the series, which had previously been attributed to the young J.M.W. Turner. This article convincingly suggests that the colorist was Thomas Girtin, then an apprentice in Dayes' studio. Girtin, noted as a watercolorist, was a friend of Turner's and an important figure in establishing watercolor as a respected artistic medium, though ironically Dayes thought little of him and was dismissive of his work in later years. The quality of coloring in these plates is little short of extraordinary, with a painterly quality that makes them fresh and lively. We do not locate another copy with 18 plates in libraries or institutions worldwide.
Auction: The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile, Jun 25, 2026
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Successful Auction of The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile on June 25, 2026 Tops $550k with 97% Sell-Through Rate
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Featuring a Wide Range of Americana and Military History Spanning the 18th through 20th Centuries
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We Invite You to Contact Us for a Complimentary Auction Evaluation of Your Collection
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle's highly-anticipated auction of The Collection of a Florida Bibliophile on June 25, 2026 delivered outstanding results, with trans-Atlantic bidding driving the sale total beyond expectations and an impressive 97% sell-through rate. Comprising more than 200 lots, this extensive and fascinating collection featured books, manuscripts, and original illustration art spanning centuries of antiquarian interest.
Signed Volume from Abraham Lincoln's Personal Library - Sold for $64,000
Books from Abraham Lincoln's personal library are among the great rarities of the American book trade. Leading the sale was an 1849 first edition of William W. Campbell's The Life and Writings of De Witt Clinton inscribed by Lincoln that achieved $64,000, more than doubling its $20,000-30,000 estimate. Lincoln signed the book on November 19, 1860, less than two weeks after his election to the presidency. In February 1861, he would depart Springfield by train for Washington, never returning to his hometown until his burial following his assassination.
A United States Senator, Mayor of New York City, and Governor of New York, DeWitt Clinton is best remembered for championing the Erie Canal, one of the great infrastructure projects of the 19th century. Lincoln admired Clinton's vision and leadership, looking to him as a model of a strong executive capable of undertaking and completing ambitious public works.
British Military & Naval Color Plate Books - Sold for $16,640
The wide selection of color plate books featured magnificent first editions of James Jenkins' celebrated The Martial Achievements of Great Britain from the Year 1799 to 1815 and The Naval Achievements of Great Britain from the Year 1793 to 1817. Amid trans-Atlantic bidding, this elegant two-volume set sailed its $7,000-10,000 estimate to realize $16,640. Among the finest military color plate books of the early 19th century, these large-paper editions, featuring over 100 hand-colored aquatint plates, were presented in their most desirable state, with coloring of exceptional quality and delicately tinted plate surrounds not found in the regular issue. Completing the lot was an original watercolor by William Heath, the leading British military watercolorist of the period, prepared for one of the plates in The Martial Achievements.
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