One of the earliest illustrated trade catalogues and a fascinating glimpse into the use of scientific instruments at the beginning of the eighteenth century

Name: One of the earliest illustrated trade catalogues and a fascinating glimpse into the use of scientific instruments at the beginning of the eighteenth century
Brand: 天文仪器
SKU: 3110
Availability: OutOfStock

By [TUTTELL, Thomas] , 1700

£28,000

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Mathematical Cards.

SKU： 3110 全部商品 Ephemera 标签： December25 Type：天文仪器

Author: [TUTTELL, Thomas]

Publication place: [London,

Publisher: John Lenthall,

Publication date: c.1700-1718].

Physical description: Second issue. A set of 52 engraved playing cards (9 of Diamonds supplied with suit marks coloured red), each with a cartouche surrounded by tools specific to a particular mathematical instrument, above a view of the tool as used in practice, and an explanation of the cards subject, ownership inscription of "J. W. Rimington-Wislon, Broomhead Hall", to upper paste-down, letterpress binders name "W. Townsend and Sons" to front flyleaf, bound in nineteenth century olive green morocco, Shieffeld gilt fillet border, spine in five compartments separated by raised bands, gilt

Dimensions: 90 by 58mm. (3.5 by 2.25 inches).

Inventory reference: 3110

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To scale:

notes:

Tuttell based his cards on three educational sets of playing cards produced by Joseph and James Moxon during the latter years of the seventeenth century. James Moxon, recognizing Tuttell's expertise in practical mathematics, asked him to help with the revisions of his father's very popular book 'Mathematics Made Easie' which was republished in 1701.

The first issue of the present set included an advertisement engraved on the king of clubs but here in the second issue it has been re-engraved to form a card on 'Building'. The ace of spades, however, still retains Tuttell's name in a list 'Bookes & Instrumts. for navigation' in an almanac of 1701.

The cards are more detailed than similar examples from this period in that the mathematical instruments and their uses can be identified easily. The set thus constitutes a remarkable pictorial trade catalogue of the period.

According to Wilshire, Chatto, writing in 1848, states "the pack of mathematical cards by Thomas Tuttell... [was] designed by Boitard and engraved by J. Savage".

Rare of the first series, only one complete set, the Ortiz Patino set, is known; two sets (both incomplete) are held at the British Library (31 cards e177) and UCLA (44 cards); complete sets of the second series are held at the new York Public Library and British Library (e67) with five further cards at the British Library. We are also aware of a further complete set in a private collection in Edinburgh.

bibliography:

provenance:

J. W. Rimington-Wilson (1822-1877) of Broomhead Hall, was one the great collector's of works relating to games - especially chess - and playing cards. The present cards were most likely bound for Rimington-Wilson. The collection was sold at Christies on 24th November 1971, "A Choice Collection of Playing Cards"; lot 319 Tuttell 51 (of 52 cards) made 300gns.