9 WOOD ENGRAVINGS (Limited edition)

Made between the years 1846 -1864.

Text by Frank Bradlow March 1983

The engravings were printed from the original blocks on Zerkall Buetten paper by Cecil Skotnes using a 19 Century Albion hand press at the Michaelis Art School of the University of Cape Town.

[6 pages of text], 9 engravings, all individual pages housed in a specially made portfolio box of cream cloth with a brown label titled gilt on the upper cover, a very good set of prints.

This edition is limited to 10 copies Numbered I – X and 4 Hors Commerce numbered HC I – IV. Each print in the edition is numbered in sequence. This is number H C I.

From the introduction: Charles Davidson Bell, the engraver of the wood blocks, was one of the group of talented civil servants who were working at the Cape in the middle of the 19th Century. In 1829 at the age of 16 he emigrated to the Cape almost certainly through the influence of his uncle, Colonel, later Sir John Bell. He worked in various government offices starting in the office of the Colonial Secretary. As an artist it is probable that he was self taught. His friend Piazzi Smythe says that Bell had taught himself exactly what nature presented to him. His sketches and drawings show not only a greatly observant eye, but also an appreciation of the ridiculous and an unmatched understanding of his subjects. The wood engraving which have been reproduced in this folio by the skilful printing of Cecil Skotnes are evidence of Charles Davidson Bells' many talents.

Signed on the title page by Frank Bradlow and Cecil Skotnes.