Various
LIBER AMICORUM.
Liber amicorum of Peter Robert van Wylich.
[Paris, Geneva, Leipzig, Berlin, Sweden, [c.1750]. Oblong 8vo, title page with Wylich's morocco bookplate laid down between a palm tree and a cedar of Lebanon, on either side of a crowing cock, 60pp. of manuscript inscriptions, poetry etc., 12 gouaches, watercolours, and pencil drawings, circular gouache portrait of a lady; emblematic vignette of Fortune with her sail in a coastal scene; romantic castle with sailing ship standing off within accomplished rococo border in red, yellow and brown with caption "cui fortuna favet"; a Voltaire poem likening happiness to a port, with accompanying gouache of ships in a bay; a couple sitting under a tree within rococo border in style of Chodowiecki (on vellum laid down); an emblematic watercolour of a person sitting on a quay writing in a ledger, packages addressed in Chinese script with Mercury pointing to a small craft with his caduceus; a couple playing cards within a decorative border; small watercolour of flowers; an emblematic watercolour of man kneeling to engrave his initials on a burning heart; a very talented gouache of duck shooting on a village pond, village life in the background; watercolour of a ship within border; pencil sketch of entwined hands; pen & ink sketch with wire work in centre; pencil and wash of a pastoral group, including sheep and dog; watercolour of a fragment of paper with symbols painted on it. The whole bound in contemporary coloured vellum, somewhat faded and rubbed, but attractive with elaborate gilt borders, enclosing the owner's intials and dated 1750.
Van Wylich would appear to have been a member of the Swedish nobility. It is also a possibility that his family was involved in some measure in trade (perhaps the China trade). In any case Wylich obviously made a tour of Europe, Germany, Switzerland and France from 1749-1751. Those he met were apparently junior diplomats, merchants, architects etc., many with some talent for art.
Price: £ 3850
US Dollar Price: $ 5700
Stock Number: 48327