Harris/Kip – Smith Hall

Harris, Dr. John (c1666-1719): The History of Kent in Five Parts…. 

D.Midwinter London 1719 

copper engraved view; plate size 35,5  x 43 cm .

Very detailed and beautifully engraved bird?s-eye-view by Johannes Kip after Thomas Badeslade, for John Harris? ?History of Kent? which apart from showcasing the country seat of the nobility, also gives a glimpse of everyday life in the early 18th century with its little scenes of domestic life and country pursuits. Each print bears the name of the property and the owner in a scroll with the owner?s coat-of-arms.

Harris was a Doctor of Divinity, an author and a Fellow of the Royal Society. For his ?History?, he commissioned Badeslade, an artistically inclined surveyor, to illustrate his work. These drawings were then engraved by Johannes Kip (1652/3-1722), a Dutch draughtsman and engraver who moved to England, and who, together with Leonard Knyff, specialised in engraved views of English country houses.
 

paper evenly toned; occ. some light foxing and/or small black spots; occ. some faint off-set; shaved to platemark left and right but just enough for framing; 3cm split in lower c?fold into image; o/w vg cond.

[ref: 2649 ] (£225) $364