"THESE 'PICTURES IN LITTLE' OFTEN PACK, AS IT WERE, THE STORY OF A LIFE INTO A FEW SQUARE INCHES"

FOSTER, J.J. Miniature Painters British and Foreign with Some Account of Those Who Practiced in America in the Eighteenth Century. London and New York: Dickinsons / E.P. Dutton, 1903. Two volumes. Quarto, original vellum with yapp edges, marbled endpapers, top edges gilt, uncut. $1500.

Limited "Edition de Luxe," number 62 of 175 copies (out of a total edition of 570), with 123 plates, a number of which are hand-colored.

Foster's focus is from 1526—the arrival of Holbein in England—to the middle of the 19th century. "A history of British miniature painting is a history of British art for many years… the period through which these native artists flourished is unquestionably one of the most stirring in our national life. Thus there are good grounds for claiming attention to the works of these eminent 'painters in little' as historical illustrations of an importance which has perhaps never been sufficiently recognized hereto.

Interior with very mild marginal embrowning, modest toning and soiling to binding. A very good copy.