A large 19th century British book entitled "English and American Art Gallery Portfolio Book with Antique Steel Engravings".

Edited by John Sherer, this book contains plates of various engravings with associated written commentary/literary works. It originally contained 50 engravings but 2 engravings were removed at some stage for framing.

Text on introduction page reads as follows: "English and American Art Gallery Exhibited in a Splendid Collection of Highly-finished Steel Engravings from Original Designs by Artists of Both Countries, the Literature by Various American and English Authors of Eminence.

John Sherer (author of "The Drawing Room Table Book," etc). The London Printing and Publishing Company Limited."

John Sherer (1810-?) was a 19th Century printer, publisher, author and editor. Between 1844 and 1881 he published 16 works including histories, travel books, and general reference works. His most popular book is "The Gold-Finder of Australia: How He Went, How He Fared, And How He Made His Fortune (1853)". It was once believed that this book was an actual account of his own adventures in the goldfields but it was later established that he never visited Australia. According to the 1881 Census John Sherer, by then age 70 and a widower, was living at a home for gentlemen pensioners in Charterhouse, Middlesex, England and his occupation was listed as Author (General Literature).

Etchings in good condition but book does has some defects:

2 x prints have been removed (presumably for framing) namely plate 8 the soldier’s return and plate 21 the Italian Boy Curling of some pages Spine detached on one side Last 2 pages detached Back cover missing (could be the front cover) Front cover detached Some spotting on some pages

For a similar example see: https://www.rubylane.com/item/260004-2217/English-American-Art-Gallery-Portfolio-Book

Approx dimensions :

45 cm x 35 cm x 7 cm

Item heavy/large. NZ Post has given me estimates as below.