Six Views of Windsor Castle by Paul Sandby, 1731-1809

Paul Sandby, 1731-1809
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Six Views of Windsor Castle

Complete set of the six aquatints with etching in sepia ink. 1776. Each with the etched signature: 'P.Sandby Fecit'. Rare very early set before the plates were retouched. Issued by Sandby himself, 1775 with his publication line: Publish'd according to Act of Parliament by P.Sandby St. Georges Row, Sepr 1st, 1776 (two plates with the additional wording ...St. Georges Row, Oxford Turnpike...)

The set includes:
Windsor Castle from the N.W. (1). 1st state impression before the flag and the smoke from the chimney were added, and with the first sky and before retouching.
Windsor Terrass looking Eastward (2). 1st state before the changed sky and with the strong contrasts in the clouds.
Windsor Terrass looking Westward (3). 1st state with the white clouds and contrasts in light and before the plate was retouched.
Windsor Castle from the Lower Court on the 5th Nov. - Fireworks (4). 1st state before any retouching, before changes to the lantern, the carriage on the left etc.
Eton College from Crown Corner (5). Before any retouching of the plate.
Windsor from Eton (6). Early impression before any retouching of the plate.

Each impression is numbered with the plate number in ink, upper left, possibly in Sandby's hand.

Superb early impressions in sepia ink. On pale cream light 18th century laid Whatman paper. Each in exceptionally fine condition for such a set; the very slightest signs of time discoloration etc. With approx. Ľ inch margins beyond the platemarks. Sheets: 13 7/8 x 19 3/4ins. (352x503mm)

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An exceptionally fine early set of one of Sandby's most famous series of prints. The aquatint tones which Sandby bit into the plates were extremely delicate, especially in areas like the wonderful treatment of light on clouds. As a result he was able to print only very few impressions indeed before he had to rework parts of the plates, for example to make new sky effects. This set has all six prints in their earliest and freshest form.

See also the notes on Sandby in 'Landscape in Scotland with a Hay Cart and Buildings, near Edinburgh.'