Laporte, John. The Progress of a Water-Coloured Drawing, wherein is represented to the learner the various graduations through which a drawing passes, from the outline to its finished state. With 14 coloured soft-ground etched (vernis mou) plates. VII, 14 Bl. 22.5 x 32.0 cm. Semi-leather band d. C. (pebbled, infested and with small flaws) with gold stamped lid plate. London, James Whiting for Testolini, (1812). Abbey 149. Cf. Thieme-Becker 22, pp. 376. – John Laporte (1761-1839) lived in London from 1779 and was a member of artists' circles there. "From 1807 he was a founding member of the Associated Artists in Watercolours ... In 1834 he became a member of the New Watercolour Society. Laporte painted mainly landscapes in Auqatinta and Gouache ... In the medium of soft grounding, L. Instructions for the production of aqua. and drawings." (AKL 83, p. 185), he was therefore predestined for a textbook due to his preferences, in which the complete steps of a correct coloration of graphics or watercolouring are shown. The plates show all states of a colorite from the first slight tint to the fully executed version. The text sheets partly with small coloured color fields as a pattern. On strong Velin partw. with watermark "Russell & Co. 1810" and "E. & P. 1805" (text) and "Whatman 1808" (tables). Rarely are there also specimens with a stung ad sheet for Testolini. – Front flying intent removed. Mirror front to board four with smaller brown spot in the upper edge. Slightly finger and color stained. Rare