The Dances of Death: through the Various Stages of Human Life, wherein the Capriciousness of that Tyrant is Exhibited in Forty-Six Copperplates

A very good copy of Scottish engraver David Deuchar's Dance of Death.

Second edition of 1803, with the plates lacking the decorative frames used in the first edition of 1786.

With 47 plates engraved by Deuchar, comprising 46 engravings of figures in the Dances of Death, one engraving of the scabbard, two frontispieces (one with a self-portrait in profile and one after Chretien Mechel with Deuchar's name replaced), and one engraved portrait of Holbein. Total of 50 copperplates.

According to the exhaustive Dance of Death website dodedans.com, Deuchar's engravings are based primarily on Wenceslaus Hollar's reworking of Arnold Birckmann's copies of Holbein's woodcuts. Many of the plates have the initials HB (Holbein) and DD (Deuchar) or Deuchar fecit.

Inspired by the re-appearance of the Dance of Death in the 1780s, many English artists John Bewick, Thomas Rowlandson and Richard Dagley would all bring out their versions in the Regency era.

With two frontispieces, title page, portrait of Holbein, two-page Preface and life of Holbein, 47 pages of explanatory text in English and French, and 47 copperplates.

The subjects of the Dance of Death are: The Fall, Expulsion, After the Fall, The Pope, Cardinal, Duke, Bishop, Canon, Monk, Abbot, Abbess, Preacher, Priest, Physician, Astronomer, Emperor, King, Empress (yellowing), Queen, Duchess, Countess, Noblewoman, Nun, Count, Knight, Nobleman, Soldier, Judge, Lawyer, Senator, Merchant, Peddler, Sailor, Blind Man, Peasant, Rich Man, Fool, Drunkard, Gambler, Old Man, Old Woman, Robber, Waggoner, Child, Beggar, and Creation.

David Deuchar (1743-1808) was a Scottish etcher, goldsmith and engraver born in Montrose and active in Edinburgh. He and Alexander Deuchar were appointed Seal-Engravers to George, Prince of Wales, around 1786. He published his Dance of Death in 1788, and A Collection of Etchings after the Most Eminent Masters in 1803.

In a full straight-grain tan morocco binding, spine with five raised bands and gilt tooling, marble endpapers, boards fine with slight wear along the hinges. Internally clean with a few pages light spotting and toning, copperplates on lighter, different sized-paper with some offsetting to verso, two with toning. All plates with crisp and fine impressions.

A lovely copy.