George Bickham was on the most famous calligraphers of the 18th century. He specialized in copy books and business texts. In 1733 Bickham produced the Universal Penman, which was designed as a practical penmanship instruction and copy-book for the Man of Business. In addition to the plates designed by Bickham, this monumental anthology included the work of 25 contemporary writing masters. These engravings cover a myriad of subjects from poetry and song, festivities, commerce, script pictures, cherubs, griffins, alphabets, decorative panels, cartouches, and calligraphic flourishes, etc. Bickham also published The British Monarchy, which is a collection of 188 plates of historical notes with 43 plates of views of English and Welsh counties. They are called views rather than maps although they are presented as map-like perspectives with major towns marked. Bickham's son, George Bickham, Jr., was also a calligrapher and engraver and worked with his father on several of his publications.

Three interesting leaves with exquisite calligraphy and decoration

1) Wisdom includes portraits of Milton, Newton and Butler.
2) Merchandize includes an interesting vignette representing trade with a notation "Our Trade extends as far as Winds can blow, or Ships, of Sith, upon the Waters flow."
3) The Grecian Carver includes a view of a sculptor at work.

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Condition: A

Minor soil in the blank margins.