THE DANCE OF DEATH

London: Printed for J. Coxhead, 1816. Very good plus.. Regency-era edition of these richly hand-colored engravings by one of the finest imitators of Holbein, in a handsome contemporary binding. Holbein's Dance of Death, designed in the 1520s and first printed from Lutzelberger's woodblocks in 1538, enjoyed decades of sustained popularity among the morbid Protestants of northern Europe, with the theme's popularity only increasing as waves of imitators produced their own editions and copies. Hollar (1607-1677) produced a particularly skillful version; his series of 30 etchings was initially published in 1651 with decorative borders by Abraham Diepenbeeck; the editions of 1780 and following were printed without the borders and with explanatory text. This London edition of 1816 issued the plates in a fourth state, reworked "with the utmost attention to the preservation of their original spirit and character" (Douce) and exquisitely colored by hand. With a Life of Holbein, two essays, and descriptive commentary in French and English by antiquary Francis Douce. 8.25'' x 5''. Full contemporary scarlet goatskin with gilt-stamped borders and spine. All edges gilt. Green marbled endpapers. Illustrated with hand-colored frontispiece, two portrait engravings of Holbein and Hollar, and 30 additional hand-colored plates. 70 pages. Light wear and bumping to boards, front joint with a touch of cracking (entirely firm), spine faintly sunned. Small scuff to front endpaper, minor foxing. Firm, bright.