Enamelled impressions struck off from the splendid series of medal dies, illustrative of the Holy Scriptures, Engraved by British artists in the employ of the author... (Thomason's Medallic History of the Bible). 2-vol. set (Complete)
[Birmingham]: Published by the author (Entered at Stationers' Hall), [1830]. First edition. Hardcover. Large quarto (11 1/8 x 8 5/8"). 60 green enamelled paper medallions, each mounted with accompanying leaf of text, tissue guards, in publisher's maroon morocco book boxes with gold lettering and tooling to spines. Two small metallic clasps per box. Edges of boxes gilt.
The Thomason medallic Bible is a splendid set of sixty tissue-guarded medals struck in 1830 that captures the essence of the entire Holy Bible in medallic art.
The obverse designs were inspired by the works of well-known Renaissance artists (Paul Veronese, Nicolas Poussin, Titian, Rubens, Rembrandt, Raphael, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Corregio, etc..) and executed by some of the best British engravers of the time.
The reverse of each medal contains a dense text explanation describing the topic of the medal.
Each box contains 30 enamelled paper medallions, with a list of contents pasted on inside of back cover, as issued.
Boxes rubbed and slightly age-toned along edges. Book boxes in overall good, interior in very good condition. g to vg. Item #18896
Edward Thomason served as an apprentice in Matthew Boulton's factory in Soho, Birmingham before establishing himself as a successful buckle manufacturer and jeweller, and becoming a founder member of the Birmingham Philosophcial Society. He experimented in various methods of medal manufacturing, and in 1830 produced his "sixty medals on biblical subjects. Developing his usual practice of presenting medals to important figures, he sent examples of the biblical series to all European monarchs, as well as to the president of the United States and the emperor of China (who returned his). In return for these, and also for his work as vice-consul for Birmingham for several countries, he received several orders and decorations" (ODNB).
Price: $3,750.00