Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

1791 - 1792 - 1793

---

Joseph Heath - Bookseller - Nottingham      1728-1789 deceased
George Heath -Bookbinder - London           1724-1773 deceased
---------------------------------------------

Joseph Heath - Bookbinder - Attorney?       1754-1820
James Heath A.R.A.                                     1757-1834

Eliza Heath (ne Thomas - ran away)

George Heath  - aged 12/13

Mary Heath (ne Phillipson 2nd wife)           1757-1819
Caroline Heath (engraver) - aged 7/8           1784-
Charles Theodosius Heath  - age 6/7            1785-1848 m.Elizabeth Petch d.1861
Amelia C. Heath 

Sarah Heath                                                  1759-
George Heath                                               1766-1821

---

The Heath Family Engravers 1779-1878, Volume 1. James Heath A.R.A. by John Heath
The Seasons (James Thomson) - Engraved by James Heath after C.M.Metz. - Mustidora - plate size 14 x 10cm. Published by John Murray - Publ. Dec.1.1792. (plates) 'A New Edition' dated 1794 on the titlepage. A later edition with a different engraving of Musidora bathing was published in 1802.

----------------------------------

The History of the Reign of Charles V. - Engraved by James Heath after Titian - Published by A.Strahan, T.Cadell and others. Five volumes. The second plate in the 1806 edition is dated '1798' so was probably re-engraved. James Heath receipted Cadell for 18 guineas on 31 January 1792 for one of the Charles V. plates, and for Francis I. 
1. Vol.II. Frontispiece: Charles V. - plate size 18 x 12cm - 
2. Vol.III Frontispiece: Charles V.  (in profile). 

----------------------------------

The Copperplate  Magazine  - 4 plates engraved by James Heath after Richard Corbould. Plates sizes 10 x 16cm. Published by Harrison & Co.and J. Walker. The series ran from 1792-96, but only Vols.I-II contain James Heath plates, all originating from Harrison's 'Picturesque Views.' (1788). The 'Danson Hill' plate  may have been retouched. The series sold at 1/- per month for two engravings.
1. Cliefden
2. Sherborne Castle
3. Caen Wood.
4. Danson Hill.

----------------------------------

An Essay on Archery (separate print - Walter Michael Moseley) - engraved by James Heath after Thomas Stothard R.A. - 'An archer (in the time of Edward III)  - plate size 17 x 13cm. Published by I. & I. Hall, Worcester and J.Robson. The title page vignette may also have been engraved by James Heath. The print recorded appears to have been re-engraved from an earlier plate by J.Harper; a slightly large plate of the same subject by J.Pass is also recorded with a full inscription.

----------------------------------

Select Views of Italy  - Engraved by James Heath after Henry Tresham R.A. - Titlepage vignette 'Lady with a boy holding a paintbrush.' - plate size 6 x 5cm. Published by J.Smith, W.Byrne,  J.Emes - Published '18 Jan. 1792.'

----------------------------------

Boydell's Shakespeare  - Engraved by James Heath after James Barry. King Lear mourning over the body of Cordelia. - plate size 21 x 15. Published by J.& J. Boydell. 'Aquafortis by J.Heath,' 25 March 1792. An example of 'mixed method 'etching and stipple engraving. 
Altough the painting, for which Barry got 330 guineas was hung in the Boydell Shakespeare Gallery, the engraving was not included in the 'small engraving' Steevens Shakespeare, 1802, and may not have been published.

----------------------------------

Separate print - Engraved by James Heath after Thomas Gainsborough,
1. Edward Wills, Justice of the King's Bench, ob.1787 

----------------------------------

Theatrical Representations as performed at the Theatre Royal
2. Vo.V. R.B. Sheridan,  - plate size 15 x 12cm. - Published by William Jones, Dublin. Oval prints, dated 1792 and 1793 respectively. The Dublin edition may have been a pirated production.
Separate print - Engraved by James Heath after Cipriani - Published by J. and J. Boydell. Boydell recorded these prints after Cipriani as having been commissioned from James Heath at 30 guineas each, ca. 1789. They were in Boydell's 1802 catalogue at 5/- each.
1. Jupiter and Semele - plate size 26 x 37cm.
2. Diana and Endymion.

The Miser, engraved by James Heath 1792, printed for J.Bell, British Libruary, Strand, 26 February 1792

---

Tuesday 3 January 1792
Chester Courant

Hume's History of England - With Portraits. 

This day was published, Price one shilling, (to be continued weekly till the whole is compleated) 
Number 1. Containing six sheets of letter-press and a head of the Author, engraved by Collyer of 
The History of England. 

From the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Revolution of 1688, by David Hume Esq., with the author's last corrections and improvements. Printed for T.Cadell in the Strand; and sold by T.Longman, No. 39 Paternoster Row, London -- - - continues.
The following is a list of plates which embellish this edition of Mr.Hume's History of England.

Portrait of Mr.Hume, engraved by Mr.Collyer.
William I - Mr.Hall
William II - Mr.Collyer
Henry I - Mr. C. Sherwin
Stephen - Mr.Heath
Henry II - Mr. C.Sherwin
Richard I - Mr.Thornthwayte
John - Mr.Trotter
Henry III - Mr.C. Sherwin
Edward I - Mr.Caldwell
Edward II - Mr.Heath
 - - - continues - - - -

---

Friday 6 January 1792
Kentish Gazette

At a meeting of the Royal Academy, on Saturday last, previous to the change of Officers, and the admission of the New Council to their seats the associates elect attended. Mr.West, in the absence of Sir Joshua Reynolds,sustained the Poll of President certain forms complied with, the following Gentlemen, according to their seniority of election, received their diplomas, viz. Mess. Lawrence, Smirke, Stothard and Tresham. Painters and Mr.Heath Engraver.

---

Tuesday 21 February 1792
Kentish Gazette
The King is pleased to appoint Mr.James Heath, Associate of the Royal Academy, to be Historical Engraver to his Majesty.
 

---

Tuesday 21 February 1792
Kentish Gazette

The King is pleased to appoint Mr.James Heath, Associate of the Royal Academy, to be Historical Engraver to his Majesty.

---

The Heath Family Engravers 1779-1878, Volume 1. James Heath A.R.A. by John Heath

The Seasons (James Thomosn) - Engraved by James Heath after C.M.Metz. - Mustidora - plate size 14 x 10cm. Published by John Murray - Publ. Dec.1.1792. (plates) 'A New Edition' dated 1794 on the titlepage. A later edition with a different engraving of Musidora bathing was published in 1802.
 

continues...

---

Monday 2 January 1792
Reading Mercury

Harrison's British Classicks, 
To be completed in 125 Numbers only;p making big Elegant Volumes in 8vo.

With Splendid Embellishements 

Printed on the same Plan of unrivalled Cheapness and Elegance as that celebrated publication the Novelist's Magazine; with beautiful New Types purposely contrived for these Works, by William Caston Esq., Letter-Founder to his Majesty; so that the whole Works frequently cost considerably less than even the Binding alone of the same Articles in the common and inferior editions. 

On Saturday the 31st December 1791, was published (Price Six Pence only) - Embellished with a beautiful Descriptive Plate; representing an interesting Scene from the late Dr.Johnson's Rambler, designed by Stothard, and engraved by Heath in a very superior style; the whole of these exquisite Embellishments, including beautiful Vignette Titlepages to be executed by the same Artists as have acquired so much merited reputation, by the Prints which illustrate and adorn the Novelist's Magazine. 

Number 1. (To be continued weekly) of  - -- continues. . . . 

---

Tuesday 3 January 1792
Chester Courant

Hume's History of England - With Portraits. 

This day was published, Price one shilling, (to be continued weekly till the whole is compleated) 
Number 1. Containing six sheets of letter-press and a head of the Author, engraved by Collyer of 
The History of England. 

From the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Revolution of 1688, by David Hume Esq., with the author's last corrections and improvements. Printed for T.Cadell in the Strand; and sold by T.Longman, No. 39 Paternoster Row, London -- - - continues.

The following is a list of plates which embellish this edition of Mr.Hume's History of England.
Portrait of Mr.Hume, engraved by Mr.Collyer.
William I - Mr.Hall
William II - Mr.Collyer
Henry I - Mr. C. Sherwin
Stephen - Mr.Heath
Henry II - Mr. C.Sherwin
Richard I - Mr.Thornthwayte
John - Mr.Trotter
Henry III - Mr.C. Sherwin
Edward I - Mr.Caldwell
Edward II - Mr.Heath
 - - - continues - - - -

---

Victoria & Albert Museum - Press Cuttings on Artistic Subjects - via John Heath - Vol.III
April 1792 ?

Morning Chronicle 

[This must have been the advertisement to which Boydell replied] [Written by James himself ?]
We are sorry to observe that in proportion to the encouragement given to the Liberal Arts, the illiberality of their professors seems to increase. Of this we have an instance before us which sets all decency at defiance.

In a critique on the Second Number of Boydell's Shakespeare, we are told, that "Mr.Heath's Engraving, from Northcote's Romeo and Juliet in the Tomb Scene, has much merit in the colouring, but in character is deficient. The face of Juliet has not the most distant resemblance to the Picture from which is was copied."

If an attack of this kind on the merit of Mr.Heath could be substantiated, his reputation would soon sink to nothing, but what must our readers thing, when we assure them that this criticism, if it may be so called, is founded on a gross and infamous falsehood, a falsehood too, of which the critic must have been sensible at the very moment he was thus attacking Mr.Heath by the meanest possible expedient.

The fact is, Mr.Heath DID NOT engrave from Mr.Northcote's picture! He engraved the Plate in question from a small and imperfect copy of the picture by Josiah Boydell which was given him for the purpose. 

The deficiency between Northcote's Juliet and Josiah Boydell's are to be placed to the account of the latter. That Mr.Heath engraved faithfully from Josiah Boydell's picture is as certain as that being employed on such pictures can never add to a reputation like his. 

Equally certain is it, that such mean conduct on the part of those who effect to emerge from the drudgery of a shop* to the PARTRONAGE of SCIENCE, will only tend to expose the selfishness of Quackery, but cannot injure honest industry, nor for a moment obscure brilliant talents.
[* - The reference is to the Boydell's having originally been shopkeepers selling prints]

---

Victoria & Albert Museum - Press Cuttings on Artistic Subjects - via John Heath - Vol.III
April 1792 - ?

[Morning Chronicle] ?

An advertisement having appeared in different Newspapers wherein it is asserted that the deficiency of character in the face of Juliet, as well as want of resemblance to the original picture, in Mr.Heath's engraving from Northcote's tomb scene in Romeo and Juliet, arose from the defects of my copy of that picture made for the purpose of engraving - I beg leave by way answer to observe that Mr.Heath was furnished with the large print of that subject, engraved by Mr.Simon, which has an acknowledged resemblance to the original picture, as well as my small copy. But such was Mr.Heath's negligence that he not only lost the character of Juliet in his print, but he even omitted the figure of the hourglass altogether. 

The large print by Mr.Simon, the small copy of the original picture by me, and Mr.Heath's engraving now hang together at the Shakespeare Gallery, for the inspection of such as may chuse to detect a falsehood, calculated not only to injure me, but the concerns in which I am engaged with Mr.Alderman Boydell. 

But as it has already been contested by the Undertakers of the Shakespeare, that they are dissatisfied with the small plates, and mean to supply the subscribers with a new set, the merits of Mr.Heath's plate in question will be of less moment.

As to my own merits I shall say nothing:- upwards of two hundred examples of my drawings &c. after pictures for the purpose of engraving have long been exhibited in the apartments adjoining the Shakespeare Gallery, and therefore the Public are enabled to judge on this subject: however I think it my duty to the Public, and to myself, to reply for once,(for I shall reply no more) to any anonymous advertisement.

---

Victoria & Albert Museum - Press Cuttings on Artistic Subjects - via John Heath - Vol.III
23 April 1792

Morning Chronicle ?

Sir, 
My principal inducement for answering the Letter which you inserted in the Papers on Saturday last is that it can be done with ease and ease and satisfaction. I have no criticisms to encounter: I am only to ascertain those Truths from which you and your critics seem disposed to deviate. 
You say I was furnished with the larger print of Romeo and Juliet engraved by Mr.Simon. If the Public understand this as you certainly wish them, they will understand that I had Mr.Simon's large finished Print; and you have hung it up in your Gallery to convince them that this was the case. 

This manoeuvre is unworthy of a liberal mind: You know very well that what you sent me was only an Etching of Mr.Simon's plate, which it was impossible I could use; indeed I believe there are few of my Brethren of equal standing with the public, who would not have thought themselves degraded by having such materials to guide them and direct their taste. This etching may now be seen at No.34 Pall Mall, along with a [?] impression of my Print.

Your next assertion is conveyed in very extraordinary language "Such was Mr.Heath's negligence that he not only lost the character of Juliet in his print, but he even omitted the figure of the hour glass altogether." 

With respect to the character of Juliet, I am perfectly willing to abide by the decision of those who have the opportunity to see both prints, I mean Mr.Simon's and mine. This is the only remark I have to make on this subject, and the only fair appeal which either of us can make. 

A more serious charge remains - "I have omitted the figure of the hour glass altogether." As many who look at the etching may be at a loss to discover this hour glass (and they will be still more so if they look for it in your small Picture) it is necessary to mention that there is a figure of an hour glass with wings upon the Winding Sheet.

But with what propriety do you, Sir, complain of my having omitted this? Can you pretend to forget that I omitted it with your own express consent? I told you I could put it in very easily and in a few minutes if you wished it; but owing to the form of my drapery in that part, it would hardly be discernible; and you agreed to leave it out as a thing of no consequence. 

I know you cannot deny this, and therefore in making this omission the ground of a serious charge of negligence on my part, I leave it to the public to determine what you have been deliberately guilty of. 

With respect to your small Picture, every person conversant with the Arts must know that it is impossible on so small a scale to give an exact representation of the original. But the original I never saw until my plate was finished. I had only your small copy which I used as far as I could, and Mr.Simon's etching which I could not use at all. His finished plate I have never yet seen. I will refer you to Mr.Northcote for his opinion of my plate, and of the helps I had to make an adequate representation of his picture. He will speak with deference but he will speak the truth.
I am sorry to have been compelled to use a language in this Letter very unsuitable to the acquaintance which subsisted formerly between us. A difference of opinion on the merit of my print, or a fair rivalship in our respective undertakings, should not have kept us asunder; but such attacks as have been made on my character must be repelled, and such mean expedients to injure me must be resented.
Newman St, April 23, 1792 - James Heath

---

Victoria & Albert Museum - Press Cuttings on Artistic Subjects - via John Heath - Vol.III
26 April 1792

Morning Chronicle ?
I am quite ashamed to trouble the Public again with a trifling dispute with Mr.Heath, an Artist employed and raised by our numerous undertakings; especially as I have already informed the Subscribers to the Shakspeare that new Plates will be furnished to them Gratis, in place of those small Plates already delivered, on which Mr.Heath was only employed. 

I will therefore content myself with saying shortly, in reply to Mr.Heath's long Advertisment, that his assertions are in general gross Misrepresentations of the Facts.* except where he says he was furnished with Mr.Simon's Etching and not the finished Print. 
This is true, that he had it at his own express Desire. 

I have therefore ordered the Etching he mentions to be hung up at the Gallery, with the Picture, together with the Print, that the public may judge for themselves; for on this subject I venture no opinion of my own. 

And although Mr.Heath should publish Advertisments, or distribute Handbills on this subject for ever, he never shall again tempt me, by any Impertinence, to intrude myself on the Public Attention, about this business.
J.Boydell

*Mr.Heath says his Advertisement "But the Original (Mr.Northcote's Picture) I never saw until my Plate was finished." How true this unqualified Assertion is, the following letter, from Mr.Simon to me, will shew.

Dear Sir, 
I answer to your Letter, I inform you, that Mr.Heath did call upon me to see the Picture of Romeo and Juliet, by Mr.Northcote, and traced upon Oil Paper the Outlines of Juliet's face. He did not bring his Print with him.

I am Sir, your humble Servant, 
P.Simon
Manor St, Chelsea.
April 26 1792.

---

Victoria & Albert Museum - Press Cuttings on Artistic Subjects - via John Heath - Vol.III
Newman St, April 28 1792

(Morning Chronicle?)

Sir,
Your last letter requires very little reply. You do not even attempt to refute the statement of Facts which I laid before the Public. You seem indeed, to exult in one circumstance, which has as little foundation as any of your former assertions. 

Mr.Simon's letter, stating that I saw Mr.Northcote's Picture at his house, does not disprove my assertion, namely that my Print was finished before I saw the Picture at his house.

I shall now leave your conduct in this whole affair to the judgment of the public. I shall not notice those personalities which disgrace your last letter, nor dispute whether I was RAISED (as you term it) by your numerous undertakings. The Public were in possession of my works long before the period of our acquaintance, and can judge for themselves.

One thing only remains to be added:- I have heard, from many respectable friends, that you accuse me of deserting your Shakespeare, and publishing one in opposition: but you know, very well (and it is necessary the public should know) that I did not begin my work until I received a letter from you, informing me that you had changed your plan, and that I was not to proceed with the plates in hand. 

It was then, and not until then, that I determined to submit to the public such a work as you had promised, and as they expected - I now take my leave at this altercation: my only purpose was (and that purpose has been answered) to establish certain facts in which I was principally concerned, and to detect certain practices, in which the Public at large are materially interested.
James Heath
 

---

-