1791 – William Hogarth Illustrated – John Ireland | First Edition | Illustrated Plates

William Hogarth was one of the most famous English artists of the 18th-century and his satirical cartoons appeared in comic-strips and other printed works for decades. His most famous works were short series of sketches that told moral stories through the lens of political satire – A Harlot’s Progress, A Rake’s Progress, and Marriage.

John Ireland, an English engraver, etched many of his engravings after the art of Hogarth. These engravings were published in 1791 in two volumes portraying the most iconic Hogarth works.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Hogarth Illustrated
• Author(s): John Ireland
• Illustrator(s): William Hogarth
• Contributor(s): John Ireland (Engraver)
• Publisher: London: J. Boydell
• Edition: First edition, 1791
• Binding: Leather
• Format: (8vo), two volumes
• Size:  9.5in x 6in (24cm x 15cm)
• Collation:
  • Vol. I – [8], cxxii, 311, [1]
  • Vol. II – [5], 312–607
• Illustrations: 90 engraved plates
• Contents Include:
  • A Harlot’s Progress
  • A Rake’s Progress
  • Marriage A-la-Mode
  • Critical commentary and biographical note

Condition:

Very Good. Modern leather binding with marbled boards; both volumes secure. Pages and plates exhibit age toning consistent with 18th-century paper.

Why Collect This?

• First edition, filled with 90 engravings

Item Number: #29857