G. Vertue scul.
[British, n.d., c.1723.]
Rare etching, proof before letters titled in ink by hand. 160 x 110mm. 6¼ x 4¼". Unrecorded state before title of book he holds open changed to 'Oath of Alleg[iance]'. A fine impression.
Portrait of Thomas Hearne (1678-1735), antiquarian. After graduating from St Edmund Hall, Oxford, he was made assistant keeper of the Bodleian Library, where he worked on cataloguing the books. As a nonjour he refused to take the oaths of allegiance to King George I, and so in early 1716 he was deprived of his librarianship. He turned down many professional and academic positions, including the Camden professorship of ancient history, rather than take the oaths. He did however remain in Oxford and spent his time editing the English chroniclers. Several volumes on shelves behind, some with etched tiles to spines. From a different plate to item 26284, with several differences of detail in the image. After P. Tillemans.
Alexander 379, unrecorded state.
[Ref: 26283]  £180.00