Author: HARRADEN, RICHARD
Title: Costume of the University of Cambridge. Drawn and Published By R Harraden
Description: Cambridge, R Harraden. 1805, First Edition. Half Bound, 290mm. x 235mm. Book, 22 text pages, 15 hand-coloured costume plates, and 2 of gold medals (Duke of Graftons & Sir William Browne’s). Prospectus for Harraden's views of Cambridge and Oxford, Statue of Sir Isaac Newton tipped in at rear. Each plate accompanied by page of descriptive letterpress. Gilt titled label mounted on front cover: Costume of Cambridge, by R Harraden. Bound in original boards. Paper title label to spine. Bookplate of Henry Thomas Ellacombe, (1790-1885), noted campanologist and Church of England clergyman, on front pasted-down end-paper. Illustrations by John Whessell; after Richard Harraden. Engraved title page, showing Kings College Chapel. With half title-page which reads: Costume of the University of Cambridge. Drawn and published by R. Harraden, south side of Great St. Mary's Church, Cambridge. To be had of Mr. Miller, No. 49, Albermarle Street, Piccadilly, London. Preface dated May 21, 1803. Fairly well-worn externally, some soiling, spotting to prelims, spotting also mainly affecting non-coloured plates. DNB - ‘Harraden, Richard (1756-1838), topographical draughtsman and printmaker, was born in London, the son of a physician who came from Flintshire. In London Harraden practised from 16 Little Newport Street. He specialized in topographical draughtsmanship and executed most of his designs in etching or aquatint. This was the case with the series of six large views of colleges which he published from his new premises in Great St Mary's Lane, Cambridge, in 1797. While 1803 marks the year in which he executed aquatints for Thomas Girtin's Views of Paris, it was also then that he produced a series of etched costume plates of Cambridge academic dress; focused on the human figure as a mannequin for the relevant robes, these reveal Harraden's weakness in anatomy, which can be contrasted with his usually more confident handling of landscape and architectural elevations. His best-known series again exploited the ready market among Cambridge academics or graduates. Cantabrigia depicta (1809-10) comprised twenty-four plates engraved after Harraden's designs by a variety of hands.’ Extremely scarce in any edition or condition. Overall size - 290mm. x 235mm. [12733/607]. Very Good.

Keywords: Fashion Education University Costume History Illustration


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