AN IMPORTANT COLLECTION OF SCOTTISH HAND DRAWN AND ENGRAVED HERALDIC ARMORIALS CRESTS BY DAVID DEUCHAR THE FAMED ENGRAVER OF HANS HOLBEIN'S DANCE OF DEATH

HERALDIC CREST MANUSCRIPT. Large, thick Folio, late 18th century marbled boards and 1/2 sheep, crack to spine and partial unhinging of front board, age worn but otherwise well-preserved. A handsome and imposing manuscript of 1000s of engraved crests, including numerous crests drawn by hand, arranged by the famed engraver David Deuchar (1743-1808) interestingly organized according to device type (i.e. hands, lions etc.) Carefully compiled and researched manuscript, seemingly intended for publication, with numerous markings accorded to known and unknown heraldic crests and their corresponding family names. Pasted to first blank is a letter dated 1884 from the Edinburgh bookseller William F. Clay explaining how he "secured a unique collection of several thousand heraldic crests and devices, engraved and drawn in ink by the celebrated engraver David Deuchar and his son." He offers the manuscript for 30 shillings (1884). Clearly a working manuscript of the well regarded "Dance of Death" engraver and of great use for research. ; English Language; Elephant Folio - over 15" - 23" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF, SCOTLAND, HERALDRY, HERALDIC, BRITAIN, MANUSCRIPT, HANDDRAWN, HANDWRITTEN, ENGRAVED, DEUCHAR, HOLBEIN, DANCE OF DEATH, SCOTTISH, NOBILITY, HALLMARKS, INSIGNIA, EMBLEM, COAT OF ARMS, SIGNET, ARMORIALS, GENEALOGY, ORNAMENT,FAMILIAL, PEERAGE, VIGNETTE, WOODCUT, ENGRAVINGS, CHIVALRY, DEVICES, CHEVRON, DECORATIVEantiquité, contrat, vélin, document, manuscrit, papier Antike, Brief, Pergament, Dokument, Manuskript, Papier oggetto d'antiquariato, atto, velina, documento, manoscritto, carta antigüedad, hecho, vitela, documento, manuscrito, papel.