"Suites d'Estamies, Illustrer le Bible Ancien, par Hoet."
An excellent and particularly fine set of Biblical prints after the Dutch Golden Age painter, G. Hoet [Gerard Hoet (1648-1733)], each depicting various Old Testament scenes captioned with the relevant verses in several languages (Hebrew, English, German, Latin, and French). These were produced around the year 1700.
Bound into a large folio book and therefore not subject to VAT.
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The quality of these plates cannot be understated, and there have been sales records for single plates selling for several hundred GBP. A Mayfair gallery in London is currently offering 131 of these plates for £12,000. Here being a particularly rare opportunity to obtain these beautiful plates at a great price, here contained loosely within a large folio binding.
Some of these plates were reproduced for the 1751 two volume large folio Thomas Baskett Bible which regularly achieves prices in excess of £10,000, despite the plates being reproduced. It is very hard to find these lovely original plates, particularly the most sought after ones many of which are present here such as the plate for Genesis 1:1, the stunning Adam and Eve plates in Genesis 2:25, 3:6, 3:9, 'The Great Flood' plates, etc.
Size: 35 x 52 cm (approx.)
The size of the individual plates is approximately 34.2 x 51.2 cm, the above size corresponds to that of the binding which houses them.
Condition:
Containing 40 plates, two of which are double page spreads and therefore very large indeed (62.5 x 51.2 cm). The plates have been placed into this large folio book, the binding is quarter cloth over boards and probably c.1800, the cloth being much more contemporary. There is also the remnants of vellum corners and so presumably the spine also used to be bound in vellum. The plates are loosely inserted into the book and not actually bound in. Most of the plates are connected in doubles (i.e. two connected leaves) which could be separated into individual plates with ease should the winning bidder desire to do so (a great opportunity to make quite a lot of profit if these were individually framed up to be sold). All plates are signed G. Hoet in the bottom left with other maker signatures in the bottom right of those who produced these. The plates themselves have some toning around the edges as commensurate with the age and some have some light staining. They are generally free from any foxing and all show remarkably well and would all look fantastic framed. The plates in the middle of the book are generally near fine with those towards each end very good. The plate for Genesis 34:25-29 has a tear at the edge which does not affect the actual illustration, else they're generally free from rips and tears.
The binding which houses the plate is worn with some loss to the covers and corners but generally structurally sound.
