My life / Thomas Bewick ; edited and with an introduction by Iain Bain ; with numerous wood-engravings and watercolours by the author

London : Folio Society, 1981. Hardcover. Very good copy in the original gilt-blocked cloth. Some suggestion of dust-dulling to the spine bands and panel edges. Remains particularly well-preserved overall; tight, bright, clean and strong. Physical description; 192 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 24 cm. Notes; Illustrated title-page and cover. Contents; Parentage ; Birth ; Schooling ; Early talent as a draughtsman ; Countryside in winter ; Border songs -- Childhood pranks ; Country sports ; Local superstitions -- Cherryburn ; Fellside neighbours ; Old soldiers, farmers and gentry -- Departure for Newcastle, 1767 ; Apprenticeship to Ralph Beilby ; Early training ; First wood engraving -- Influence of remarkable characters ; Fellow lodgers ; Improving literature -- End of apprenticeship, 1774 ; Pedestrian tours in Cumberland and Scotland ; Character of the Highlanders -- Visit to London, 1776 ; Work for the publishers ; Dislike of city life ; Return to Newcastle -- Partnership with Beilby, 1777 ; Brother Jack Bewick ; Troublesome apprentices -- Death of parents and sisters, 1785 ; Visits to Cherryburn cease -- Convivial society in Newcastle ; Dinners, songs and music ; Northumberland pipes -- Pedestrian tours in Yorkshire, Cumberland and to Holy Island ; Work for provincial printers and publishers, and for William Bulmer, London -- The History of quadrupeds, 1790 ; Marriage ; Engraving of the Chillingham Bull ; Revd Christopher Gregson and other friends -- The History of British birds, 1797 ; Visit to Tunstall's museum at Wycliffe ; First drawings of birds ; Contributions from many correspondents -- General labour of the engraving shop ; Banknote production ; Methods of forgery prevention -- The Fables of Aesop, 1818 ; Observations on the French Revolution and agricultural improvements of the day -- Reflections on war and its horrors ; Pitt and Napoleon -- Game laws ; Conservation of the fisheries -- Visit to Edinburgh, 1823 ; Thoughts on monuments -- Methods of engraving on wood ; Techniques of printing -- Further notes on wood and copper engraving ; Apprentices -- Advice to artists ; Study of nature to be preferred. Subjects; Bewick, Thomas 1753-1828. Artists England ; Biography. Wood-engravers England ; Biography. Artistes Angleterre ; Biographies. Graveurs sur bois Angleterre ; Biographies. Wood-engravers. Artists. Book design. Books Illustration of.