The German emigré binders, Staggemeier and Welcher, were one of the most prominent London firms of their day; they were certainly in partnership by 1799, but in all probability some years earlier. They stayed together until about 1810, and then worked separately, though as neighbours. They ran a very prolific workshop, producing many bindings for James Edwards, amongst others.
The partnership of Staggemeier & Welcher is represented by just one binding in the Bliss library.
STORIA NATURALE DEGLI UCCELLI trattata con Methodo e Adornata di Figure Intagliate in Rame e Miniate al Naturale (Ital. and Lat.) 5 vols. 599 coloured plates, with MS. description to each in English, green morocco, joints, broad gold borders, gilt leaves, by Staggemeier and Welcher Firenze 1767
1826 sale, lot 349
However, L. Staggemeier, working alone, provided her with nineteen bindings.
Abrégé Historique des Principaux Traits de la Vie de Confucius Célébre Philosophe Chinois, 24 fine engravings by Helman, Paris; Faits memorables des Empereurs de la Chine, with MS. translations in English, 24 fine engravings, Paris 1788, calf extra, gilt leaves, by Staggemeier, in 1 vol.
1826 sale, lot 28
ALBIN’S (E.) NATURAL HISTORY of BIRDS, with Supplement, INSECTS, ESCULENT FISH, an Essay on the breeding of Fish and on Fish Ponds, by North, 5 vols, numerous beautiful coloured plates, red morocco, gilt leaves, by Staggemeier 1738-94
1826 sale, lot 27
Audebert (J. B.) Histoire Naturelle des Singes et des Makis, LARGE PAPER, the plates most exquisitely coloured, russia, gilt leaves, by Staggemeier Paris 1800
1826 sale, lot 89
BROOKSHAW’S (GEO.) POMONA BRITANNICA, a Collection of the most esteemed Fruits cultivated in this Country, 93 plates beautifully coloured by the Author, russia extra, joints, gilt leaves, by Staggemeier 1812
1826 sale, lot 105
Bürgher (G. A.) Leonora, German, and English, by Spencer, with proof plates, from Lady Diana Beauclerc’s designs, printed on drawing paper, gold borders, splendidly bound in red morocco, broad gold borders, joints, gilt leaves, by Staggemeier Bensley 1796
1826 sale, lot 109
CATESBY’S (MARK) NATURAL HISTORY OF CAROLINA, FLORIDA, AND THE BAHAMA ISLANDS, (Fr. and Eng.) AN ORIGINAL COPY, with 220 plates accurately coloured from nature, russia, joints, broad gold borders, gilt leaves, by Staggemeier 1771
1826 sale, lot 116
CHINESE DRAWINGS, 134 exquisite original Drawings, illustrating the Trades, Costumes and Manners of the Chinese, by Artists of that Nation, mounted, guarded, and bound in red morocco, broad gold border, gilt leaves, by Staggemeier
1826 sale, lot 484
CHINESE DRAWINGS, a Collection of 61 beautiful original Drawings, to illustrate the Costume, Manners and Amusements of the Chinese, mounted, splendidly bound in red morocco, joints, gilt leaves, by Staggemeier
1826 sale, lot 487
Costume of Portugal, Fr. and Eng. 50 coloured engravings, red morocco, elegant, by Staggemeier
1826 sale, lot 61
Costume of Yorkshire, 40 coloured engravings, with descriptions in Fr. and Eng. calf extra, marble leaves, by Staggemeier 1814
1826 sale, lot 136
Faulkner’s (T.) Historical and Topographical Account of Fulham, including Hammersmith, LARGE PAPER, plates, and illustrated with many fine ports. by Lombart, Vander Gucht, Hopwood, Romney, &c. Views of Churches and Public Buildings, russia, extra, gilt leaves, by Staggemeier 1813
1826 sale, lot 223
HODGE’S (WM.) SELECT VIEWS IN INDIA, 48 coloured engravings with Descriptions in Fr. and Eng. superbly bound in variegated morocco, inlaid, broad gold borders, joints, gilt leaves, by Staggemeier 1785
1826 sale, lot 272
Howitt’s (Samuel) New Work of Animals from the Fables of Æsop, Gay, and Phædrus, 100 coloured plates, red morocco, joints, gilt leaves, by Staggemeier 1811
1826 sale, lot 239
Hunter’s (William) Travels through France, Turkey, and Hungary to Vienna. 2 vols, LARGE PAPER, illustrated with many coloured Costumes of those Countries, red morocco, joints, gilt leaves, by Staggemeier 1803
1826 sale, lot 201
INDIAN AND CHINESE DRAWINGS, 83 magnificent original Drawings, representing the Dresses, Habits, Trades, Manufactures and Amusements of India and China, mounted, and bound in russia, joints, broad gold borders, gilt leaves, by Staggemeier
1826 sale, lot 509
Lister (M.) Historiæ sive synopsis Methodicæ Conchyliorum et Tabularum Anatomicarum recens, et Indicibus Huddesford, 2 vols, a multitude of plates of Shells, russia, broad gold borders, joints, gilt leaves, by Staggemeier Oxon. 1770
1826 sale, lot 290
SACRE DE NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, a Collection of Engravings, PROOFS, before the letter, mounted on drawing paper, with both the plates of “l’arrivée à Notre Dame,” sumptuously bound in red morocco, joints, silk inside, gilt leaves, by Staggemeier
1826 sale, lot 342
Thornton’s (R. J.) New Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnæus, portraits and coloured plates, russia, extra, joints, broad gold borders, gilt leaves, by Staggemeier 1807
1826 sale, lot 355
VIEILLOT (L. P.) HISTOIRE NATURELLE de plus Beaux Oiseaux Chanteurs de la Zone Torride, LARGE PAPER, 70 exquisite coloured engravings, russia extra, joints, gilt leaves, by Staggemeier Paris 1805
1826 sale, lot 364
Views Turkey in Europe, comprising Romelia, Bulgaria, and Wallachia, 41 exquisite highly finished coloured views by Watts, with descriptions in Fr. and Eng. russia extra, gold borders, gilt leaves, by Staggemeier 1804
1826 sale, lot 363
Samuel Welcher completed six bindings for Mrs. Bliss.
Bavrn (J. G.) Iconographia, complectens in se Passionem, Miracula, Vitam Christi Universam, 148 engravings by Melchior, Küsell, &c. blue morocco, gilt leaves, by Welcher 1670
1826 sale, lot 37
Boydell’s (John) Collection of Views in England and Wales, to which are added, Miscellaneous Subjects after various Masters, fine impressions, red morocco, joints, gold borders, gilt leaves, by Welcher 1790
1826 sale, lot 101
Daudin (F. M.) Histoire Naturelle des Rainetts, des Grenouilles et des Crapauds, 38 coloured plates, calf extra, gilt leaves, by Welcher Paris 1804
1826 sale, lot 72
Harris’s (Moses) Exposition of English Insects, Fr. and Eng., exhibiting on 51 copper plates, near 500
figures, beautifully coloured by Harris, red morocco, joints, gilt leaves, by Welcher 1782
1826 sale, lot 233
HINDOO DRAWINGS, 39 original Drawings, richly coloured, to illustrate the Months of the Year, signs of the Zodiac, Amusements, &c. of the Hindoos, with MS. Descriptions in English, mounted, guarded, and bound in green morocco, joints, gold borders, and gilt leaves, by Welcher
1826 sale, lot 483
Meyrick (S. R.) and C. H. Smith’s Costume of the original Inhabitants of the British Islands, 24 coloured plates, by Havell, calf extra, gilt leaves, by Welcher Bulmer 1815
1826 sale, lot 306
This sequence suggests that Mrs. Bliss commissioned these bindings quite late in the history of her library (after 1810) or else purchased them from James Edwards complete with their Staggemeier or Welcher bindings.
References
Ellic Howe.—A list of London bookbinders, 1648-1815.—London : Bibliographical Society, 1950.
Charles Ramsden.—London bookbinders, 1780-1840.—London : Batsford, 1956.
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