1794 – Biographical Magazine | Famous Portraits – da Vinci, Shakespeare, Newton

A rare 1794 printing of “The Biographical Magazine” – a collection of short biographies of some of the most eminent figures of the western world. This volume features names such as William Shakespeare, Samuel Johnson, Isaac Newton, Capt. Cook, George Frederick Handel, Francis Bacon, Rahpael, Leonardo da Vinci, and many others. Note that each entry features a small portrait engraving.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The biographical magazine : containing portraits & characters of eminent and ingenious persons, of every age & nation
• Author(s): anonymous
• Publisher: London: printed for Harrison & Co.
• Edition: Mar 1794 – Jan 1795 issues. First edition
• Binding: Leather
• Format: (8vo), single volume
• Size:  9 in x 5.75 in (23 cm x 15 cm)
• Collation: Unpaginated; 65 plates with accompanying text
• Illustrations: 65 engraved portrait plates
• Contents Include:
  • Biographical sketches of literary and scientific figures – such as William Shakespeare, Samuel Johnson, Isaac Newton, Capt. Cook, George Frederick Handel, Francis Bacon, Rahpael, Leonardo da Vinci
  • Portrait engravings of historical individuals
  • Entries on artists, philosophers, and explorers
• Provenance: handwritten – Jas. Compigne; given by Ellen Gouchman… to Harry T. Barret, 1911

Condition:

Good. Leather binding secure with slight movement to the front board; staining and foxing present throughout. Text and plates complete.

Why Collect This?

• Includes 65 engraved portrait plates of famous intellectual figures

Item Number: #50219