Book Description: Pr. for J. Murray, London, 1769. First printed work to give instructions on producing mezzotints, and a most curious account of the development of "sculpture." Evelyn (1620-1706), whose occupation the Dictionary of National Biography cites simply as "virtuoso," published popular works on gardening, politics, and education. His roughly chronological history of illustrative arts, divided primarily by significant figures, is sprinkled with a number of languages (Greek, Hebrew, and German all in their respective typefaces, along with Latin in italics), and also contains a detail from the first mezzotint print ever created, here reproduced as an oversized (and dramatic) folding plate. A "Life" of Evelyn is also supplied. The work first appeared in 1662, with a second edition published in 1755; the present copy is a reissue of the 1755 with a cancel title-page. =>A handsome engraved portrait, in which Mr. Evelyn is wearing a most dashing cape, opens the volume. 8vo. [4], xxxvi, 140 pp.; 3 plts. (one oversized folding). Wing E3513 (first ed.) On Evelyn, see: Dictionary of National Biography, XVIII, 79-83. Contemporary speckled sheep with red gilt-stamped morocco spine label; some little chipping to edges, with joints and spine lightly abraded and cracking (not disastrously). Early inscription reads "Evelyns Sculptura compiled originally the elder Faithorne." Pages unspotted for the most part, and plates in good condition save for slight offsetting to frontispiece. A pleasing book!.