1823 ❧ SAVAGE, WILLIAM. 1770-1843. Practical Hints on Decorative Printing, with Illustrations Engraved on Wood, and Printed in Colours. London: Published for the Proprietor by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, 1822 [but 1823]. Folio (365 x 265 mm). Headpieces, typography specimens, and color plates. This copy includes the magnificent color-printed dedication to George John, Earl Spencer, displaying his full armorial bearings, alongside the architectural title-vignette plate. Uncut edges. Typical browning and staining. 3/4 tan calf gilt over green paper covered boards. FIRST EDITION. A SPLENDID, EXPANSIVE LARGE PAPER COPY OF SAVAGE'S MAGNUM OPUS-A LANDMARK IN THE HISTORY OF COLOR TYPOGRAPHY AND PRINTING METHODOLOGY. This virtuoso production was highly idiosyncratic and represents a historic turning point in English color printing. Frustrated by the poor quality of contemporary commercial printing inks, William Savage formulated his own oil-free color inks. This breakthrough allowed clean transfers from wood engravings without requiring the blocks to be painstakingly wiped down between impressions, laying the early groundwork for the widespread adoption of chromolithography. Savage's suggestions didn't lead anywhere; they were far too involved and demanding for the average printer, but they did presage Baxter a decade later whose patented process for printing color did lead to a revolution. The work is famously scarce: Savage strictly promised his subscribers that all the intricate woodblocks used in the printing would be defaced and destroyed upon completion of the run, preventing any future restrikes. This Large Paper variant is highly sought-after because the plates exhibit a sharper, more brilliant clarity and intensity of color compared to the standard quarto copies. Abbey, Life 233; Ray, English, 99. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing