Benjamin Smith & Thomas Banks

Shakspeare Gallery: Benjamin Smith's "Shakspeare seated between the Dramatick Muse and the Genius of Painting The alto relievo in the front of the Shakspeare Gallery Pall Mall" is based upon a design created by the British artist, Thomas Banks. "The engraving served as a frontis-piece for the published set of John and Josiah Boydell's Shakespeare Gallery Set. The statue was commissioned by Boydell and was situated in front of his gallery in Pall Mall. The text below the image of this first edition impression reads; "Represents Shakspeare seated between the Dramatick Muse and the Genius of Painting, who is pointing Him out as the proper Subject for her pencil. Published June 4, 1796, by John & Josiah Boydell at No. 90, Cheapside, & at the Shakspeare Gallery, Pall Mall. Benj. Smith Sculp. I Banks R. A fecit." The inscription along the base of the statue reads;

"He was a man, take him for all in all,
I shall not look upon his like again."
The alto relievo in the front of the Shakspeare Gallery, Pall Mall."

An Important Note on Boydell States and Editions: Proof impressions and true first edition impressions are easily identified by their fine lines and strong contrasts of black and white tones. Later more common editions print in a more overall grey tone and contain areas of re-working. Briefly, the publishing history of these great engravings can be categorized into five states or editions:

1. 'Artist's Proofs'. These are the earliest of states and were printed in only a handful of impressions. They are identified not only by their vibrant lines and tones but by the fact that they lack any letters along the lower margin.
2. 'Proofs Before Title'. These impressions usually contain the names of the artist, publisher and engraver along the lower margin. They lack the title of the specific play depicted and usually the heading -- 'Shakspeare' -- is smaller than in the published edition. Once again, this state was printed in a very small numbers.
3. 'Open Letter Proofs'. These impressions bear the title of the play. the heading, 'Shakspeare' (Shakespeare), is yet to be filled in with stippling. These impressions were printed before the publication of the first edition and were probably struck from the plate at a customer's request. Perhaps ten to twenty Open Letter Proofs exist for each engraving.
4. 'First Edition Impressions'. The completed set of Boydell's Shakespeare engravings was published in London in 1803. The full publisher's address appears along the lower margin as well as the text for the play. The heading, 'Shakspeare', is now filled in with stippling. Both first edition impressions and proofs were most often printed on either hand-made, laid paper or wove paper bearing the 'J. Whatman' watermark.
5. 'Posthumous Impressions and Restrikes' As early as 1807, John Stockdale of London issued a second edition of the Shakespeare prints. They continued to be published throughout the first half of the nineteenth century. Finally, in 1852, an enterprising dentist in New York City (with the delightful name of Shearjashub Spooner) acquired the plates, restored them and produced the last edition. These prints are most commonly offered for sale.

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