DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.73058#0069
Benefit Tickets.
A rare proof of this ticket, in the possession of Mr. R. E. Graves, of the British Museum,
bears the singular imprint, F. Bartolozzi sculp, for the last -, just enough space being
left for the insertion of one more short word. There seems to be no record under what
circumstances so singular an imprint came to be engraved, or as to what the omitted
word was intended to be ; probably time—"F. Bartolozzi sculp, for the last time? which
may have been meant as a hint to those whom it might concern, that he was tired of
this class of work, or rather of producing it without making any charge whatever. That,
however, he sometimes broke through his custom, and received payment—and handsome
payment—for these little works, is apparent from the following extract from a letter
written by Mr. Richard Gough, antiquary and topographer, to the Rev. Michael Tyson,
English divine and author, dated Enfield, March 6, 1776: "I am told Dr. Burney has
acquitted himself well in his account of Antient Music. He might have saved the hundred
guineas which he gave Bartolozzi for three of Bach's concert tickets."
The Wilkes ticket (see illustration), engraved by Bartolozzi in 1775,* was more or less
* Extract from letter of John Wilkes to Philo-Wilkes (Samuel Cutler) : " Monday, Sept. 29, 1771. Permit me
then to send you a ticket, in which I was concerned, for the Easter festival of my Mayoralty. I saved it from the
wreck of those spoiled by door-keepers. In my opinion it does honour to the two great artists, Cipriani and Bartolozzi,
and to a country, which distinguishes their merit, and I hope in time will emulate it."
used, both for balls and dinners at the Mansion House, during a period extending over
twenty years. The lettering on the lower part of the plate was probably taken out and
reengraved a considerable number of times, the latest example (printed in red), which the
writer can find, being for a ball during the mayoralty of the Hon. William Curtis, in 1796.
The plate, notwithstanding its having probably been deepened several times, shows signs
in the later impressions of considerable wear. The earlier impressions from this plate
bear the date 1775 after Bartolozzi's name, but the figures were subsequently removed
altogether.
He engraved his age on one ticket only, that for the benefit of Mr. Banti—F. Bart:
invt: and sculpt. 1797 cetati suce 69.
CHAPTER
49
VOL. I.
A rare proof of this ticket, in the possession of Mr. R. E. Graves, of the British Museum,
bears the singular imprint, F. Bartolozzi sculp, for the last -, just enough space being
left for the insertion of one more short word. There seems to be no record under what
circumstances so singular an imprint came to be engraved, or as to what the omitted
word was intended to be ; probably time—"F. Bartolozzi sculp, for the last time? which
may have been meant as a hint to those whom it might concern, that he was tired of
this class of work, or rather of producing it without making any charge whatever. That,
however, he sometimes broke through his custom, and received payment—and handsome
payment—for these little works, is apparent from the following extract from a letter
written by Mr. Richard Gough, antiquary and topographer, to the Rev. Michael Tyson,
English divine and author, dated Enfield, March 6, 1776: "I am told Dr. Burney has
acquitted himself well in his account of Antient Music. He might have saved the hundred
guineas which he gave Bartolozzi for three of Bach's concert tickets."
The Wilkes ticket (see illustration), engraved by Bartolozzi in 1775,* was more or less
* Extract from letter of John Wilkes to Philo-Wilkes (Samuel Cutler) : " Monday, Sept. 29, 1771. Permit me
then to send you a ticket, in which I was concerned, for the Easter festival of my Mayoralty. I saved it from the
wreck of those spoiled by door-keepers. In my opinion it does honour to the two great artists, Cipriani and Bartolozzi,
and to a country, which distinguishes their merit, and I hope in time will emulate it."
used, both for balls and dinners at the Mansion House, during a period extending over
twenty years. The lettering on the lower part of the plate was probably taken out and
reengraved a considerable number of times, the latest example (printed in red), which the
writer can find, being for a ball during the mayoralty of the Hon. William Curtis, in 1796.
The plate, notwithstanding its having probably been deepened several times, shows signs
in the later impressions of considerable wear. The earlier impressions from this plate
bear the date 1775 after Bartolozzi's name, but the figures were subsequently removed
altogether.
He engraved his age on one ticket only, that for the benefit of Mr. Banti—F. Bart:
invt: and sculpt. 1797 cetati suce 69.
CHAPTER
49
VOL. I.