[Artists' manuals] Ackermann, R. (publisher). The Cabinet of the Arts

being a new & universal drawing book, illustrated by 130 engravings from drawings by various masters. London, R. Ackermann, n.d. (1821). 2nd enlarged ed. Engr. frontisp., engr. title-p., 126 engr. and aquatint plates, of which 31 handcol., by T. Hodson and J. Dougall. Later hcalf w. cont. plain boards, gilt ribbed spine. Folio (28.2 x 22.5 cm).

Extremely rare, varied and finely illustrated drawing book, containing visual instructions on how to draw people and objects as well as instruction on perspective. The images include mythological scenes, human facial expressions, human anatomy, landscapes, cattle, shells, flowers and fruits, etc., showing different techniques. Plate 99 is a transfer of a handwritten dedication by Rudolph Ackermann to Alois Senefelder, "Inventor of the art of lithography". The work was engraved by Thomas Hodson and John Dougall, both of whom were active in the late 18th and early 19th century. A text volume, published simultaneously, is more common, but not included here. Abbey, Life in England in Aquatint and Lithography, 1770-1860, 146.