Thackara’s Drawing Book for the Amusement and Instruction of Young Ladies & Gentlemen in the Pleasing and Elegant Art of Drawing

1814. THACKARA, James. Thackara's Drawing Book for the Amusement and Instruction of Young Ladies & Gentlemen in the Pleasing and Elegant Art of Drawing. [4] pp., [54] leaves of engraved plates. Small 4to, 205 x 163 mm., contemporary sheep-backed plain boards, in a recent custom quarter morocco slipcase. Philadelphia: James Thackara & Son Engravers, 1814. An extremely rare early American drawing manual. While somewhat stained and browned throughout, and with the binding in poor shape, it is nonetheless a serviceable copy. There are 4 copies in the auction records, 1972, 1969, 1921 and 1908, all ascribed with a publication date of 1796. The copies on OCLC have been ascribed dates 1798, 1814 and 1816. OCLC lists AAS, Michigan, LC and JCB.