Lot 787: 7 Rare Richard Dalton Etchings after Hans Holbein, 18th C.

Seven (7) Richard Dalton (English, c. 1715-1791) etchings on laid paper after portrait drawings by Hans Holbein the Younger (German, 1497/8-1543) in the Royal Collection. Etchings include portraits of Elizabeth, Lady Audley;  Mary Shelton, later Lady Heveningham; Sir Thomas Parry; William Reskimer (described in a caption as “a Cornish Gent” and with a note that “There is a painting in oyl of him less than life at Hampton Court”; Elizabeth, Lady Vaux; Thomas, 2nd Baron Vaux; and of an unidentified woman. Each with old pen inscription with sitter’s name or “unknown,” lower left, except Reskimer print. Dimensions range from 12 3/4 in H to 10 in H and 9 1/8 in W to 7 in W. Note: Richard Dalton served as librarian to George III during his time as both Prince of Wales and King of England. Dalton likely created these undated etchings after Holbein drawings in the Royal Collection during the 1770s or 1780s and before the better-known series by Francesco Bartolozzi, published in 1792, making the present examples the earliest reproductions of these images. Some may be especially early proof impressions, before lettering, as the two impressions of the portrait of Lady Audley in the collection of the British Museum include a border and marginal text not found in the present impression of this print. 

PROVENANCE: Ex-Collection of Lady Agnew-Somerville

CONDITION: All overall very good condition, with minor handling wear. Elizabeth, Lady Audley; Thomas, 2nd Baron Vaux; and Lady Vaux with staining to upper right-corners, outside of images. Thomas, 2nd Baron Vaux with negligible loss to upper-right corner and additional staining to lower edge, outside of image.