Townley, W

An Archive of Heraldic Designs

and other related pieces, drawn by W. Townley in pencil and pen and ink, with grey wash, and a number with water-colour. Dating from the second half of the eighteenth century. Contained within a modern blue cloth drop-over box. The main body of the archive is a sketch book (measuring 320 x 205 mm), in marbled wrappers, inscribed at the front "Drawn by Mr. W. Townley". It contains 43 drawings of heraldic supporters - birds, beasts and humans - mostly one per page, with appropriate surrounds. A few are outline sketches, but the majority are fully formed figures in ink and wash, with water-colour used for the uniform of a soldier and the robe of a female figure. Some are large, filling most of the page. There are also three duplicate figures loosely inserted, with "pricking" (i.e. pin holes marking out the lines of the image), which was used for transferring the design. These drawings clearly served a practical purpose. They may have been copied on to ceramics or silver, fabrics, the side of coaches or overdoors, or used on charters or in engravings. There are an additional nine heraldic designs, four impressive drawings of classical vases (the largest measuring 395 x 278 mm, with pricking), and 17 drawings of human figures, wild and domestic animals, and farmyard and camp scenes, some with water-colour and a number with pricking. All these are on separate sheets or pieces of paper, a few of which have been expertly restored. There are also two manuscript fragments, the first of a herald's expenses and income in 1755, including fees for drawing up various pedigrees, the second of court announcements, including the appointment of Charles Townley to the office of Lancaster Herald in 1781 (having been Bluemantle Pursuivant since 1774). Amongst five small printed pieces are two bookplates of Sir Charles Townley, as Clarenceux King of Arms (a post he held from 1755 until 1773) and as Garter Principal King of Arms (1773-4). It seems that our W. Townley was a relation of Sir Charles Townley (1713-1774) and his son Charles (1749-1800) . He never held high office himself, but these drawings show him to have been an heraldic draughtsman of some accomplishment.

• GBP 1,800.00 > other currencies
• ordernr.: ebc885

• bookseller: George Bayntun (GREAT BRITAIN)