Set Of 18th Century Hand Colored Military Engravings Of The First Football Regiment

Three very rare and beautifully finished colored plates from a series of nine military mezzotint etchings/engravings showing the dress of the Foot Guards and the first nine infantry regiments with two figures on each plate. Published in London by Captain Hewgill of the Coldstream Guards and sold by John & Josiah Boydell. 1792-3, after a drawing by Edward Dayes. Nevill considers them "the most attractive representations of English uniforms ever executed" (page XXXI). The regiment was raised in Bruges in 1656 by King Charles II while he was in exile in Belgium. The king, an ally of the Spanish, lacked funds and only five regiments were raised. The most loyal supporters formed the “Royal Guards Regiment”. During his restoration in England, the king raised another regiment of foot guards, namely the King's Guard Regiment, for his protection. On the death of Thomas, Lord Wentworth in 1665, these two regiments were united to form the first regiment of foot guards. this title remained until 1815 when, due to the regiment's actions at Waterloo, it was given the current title: The Grenadier Guards. Often referred to as "Pontius Pilate's Bodyguard", the First Regiment of Foot is the oldest in the British Army and was posted to North America during the French and Indian War from 1757 to 1763; stationed in Canada and New York, serving at Louisburg, Nova Scotia and Ticonderoga. Aside from their rarity (very limited numbers are produced), the appeal of these beautiful images is assured because it is the work of the colorist that makes them so collectible. They are reputed to be the watercolors of Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851) who, at seventeen, was Dayes' apprentice, and it was to him who was entrusted with the task of tinting these beautiful military images (Carman XVII). The minimalist etched guideline technique allowed the talented colorist to create subtle and interesting shadows. A technique and individual style that would be perfected to such effect in his later works. Edward Dayes who began his career as a pupil of William Pether and became a draftsman to HRH The Duke of York. Known as a painter of watercolors of a simple but graceful character, producing views of considerable value; just like the character of the man himself. He teaches drawing and writes a book on the subject. Although frequently praised for the excellence of his figure drawings (as shown in this beautiful plate), he unfortunately committed suicide, following the loss of a contract, in May 1804. The outline plate was engraved by Thomas Kirk (fl.1785-97). A student of R. Cosway, Kirk became known as an artist and printmaker. He first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1785 and died twelve years later of consumption, continuing to work to the end and being propped up in his chair the day before his death to put the finishing touches on a print. Dayes said of him: “He passed like a meteor through the field of art. » Condition: Fine and bright, with light staining outside of the main image shown. Provenance: The collection of the late Willie Landels, former editor of Harpers & Queen magazine.