Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

1828 - 1829 - 1830

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James Heath R.A. aged 71/72                           
Mary Heath (ne Phillipson)  aged 71/72       

        
George Heath   aged 49/50                                  
Anne Raymond Heath (ne Dunbar)  aged 41/42    

Julia Anna Harrison (ne Heath) aged 21/22         
John Moore Heath aged 20/21              
Douglas Denon Heath aged 17/18                
Dunbar Isidore Heath age 13/14               
Leopold G. Heath age 11/12                
Emma Jane Whatman     aged 7/8    

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The Heath Family Engravers - Volume 3 - by John Heath
Fine Arts 1829

The Keepsake.

We have been favoured with a set of the plates prepared for the forthcoming Keepsake. Great as the efforts of the conductors of those beautiful periodicals commonly called "The Annuals" have been heretofore, they must be more prodigious than ever, now, if the splendid specimen before us is not to  stand unrivalled . . . . etc. etc. . . .  it offers to the lover of the fine arts a collection of extraordinary beauty and almost unprecedented value. The engravers are Heath, Goodyear, etc.

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Monday 6 January 1829
Charles Heath, 6 Seymour Place, Euston Square, to Dawson Turner

My Dear Sir,
With this letter you will receive two parcels, on containing a set of Proofs on India paper without any writing of the Keepsake Plates, the other a large and smaller paper copy of the same work which I trust will meet your approbation. The sale has been very extensive - at present about 16,000 besides Proofs and the large paper copy. Had I been out earlier the sale would have been very much larger, next year I shall be in better time, and shall I hope sell more, having made arrangements for an Edition in America and another in Paris.

I expected to have heard from you long since to inform me how many you want to complete the last Years Proofs - and I will thank you to say at the same time how many numbers you have had of the England and Wales. Three more numbers are nearly ready of that work which has been delayed in consequence of Mr.Turner's absence from London.

I sincerely regret that there has been yet no dividend on my Estate which is entirely owing to the Chancery suit - the cause is however ordered for Trial and I hope will soon be settled. We have beat them on every point at present and I have no doubt shall in the next trial, when that is settled there will be a dividend of at least four or five shillings as far as can be judged at present.

With best respects to yourself and family.

Yours very truly obliged,
Charles Heath.
 

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Wednesday 7 January 1829
Morning Chronicle

Juvenile Annuals
1. Juvenile Keepsake contains Eight beautiful Engravings on Steel by C.Heath &c., Edited by T.Roscoe Esq. Elegantly bound, published at 8s. Sold at 72.6d.

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February 1829
The Heath Family Engravers 1779-1878, Volume 3. by John Heath

Letter - Charles Heath to Sir Walter Scott.

You are well aware that the whole of my time is so much occupied that I have not undetaken a Plate for any publisher the last three years - at the same time if possible I exert myself to oblige you. 

There is, however, one condition which I trust you will not object to, namely that instead of money you pay me for any Plates I may engrave by writing as many pages per Plate as may be agreed on. I trust it will not be long before we receive the promised Tale for the next volume of the 'Keepsake' as we are now going to press.

I suffered such a severe loss by not being earlier last year that I am making double exertions to be out sooner next, it makes some thousands difference in the sale.

I think the prospectus of your plan of republishing all your Novels and Tales with Plates is excellent, and certain of a great sale - but you must not be offended if I say that as they are not new works the Plates will be a great attraction, particularly now when the Arts are so appreciated - much of the extensiveness of the sale will depend on their existence both as to design and Engraving. 

I saw at Mr.Graves a Portrait of yourself by Wilkie - intended as a Frontispiece in the Work. If my advice is worth anything I should say do not engrave it - there is no resemblance. Mr.Edwin Landseer has the finest likeness of you in the World.
I hope you will excuse my freedom and allow it to pass as it is meant.

With best respects I remain Dear Sir, 

Your most sincerely obliged,

Chas. Heath

P.S. I hope for an answer that I may arrange accordingly?
 

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23 February 1829
The Heath Family Engravers 1779-1878, Volume 3. by John Heath

Letter -  from Charles Heath to 

Dear Sir,
Your letter enclosing one from Sir Walter Scott has been received tho' not till Six Weeks after its date.

In Answer I beg to say that I have ceased altogether from Engraving for any other Works than my own - and my time is so much occupied that it would be some time before I could get you a Plate finished. 

Indeed there is but one thing that would induce me to do one at all, that is, instead of being paid in money Sir Walter Scott much write me so many pages as may be agreed on for my 'Keepsake.' 

This may induce me to Engrave you one or perhaps two Plates. Mr.Graves is willing to let them come in at times that will suit me, and Sir Walter need not write till he has received the Engravings.

I shall have the pleasure of writing to Sir Walter Scott on the Subject by the same post that you receive this.

I am Dear Sir, Yours truly
Charles Heath 
London
 

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27 February 1829
The Heath Family Engravers 1779-1878, Volume 3. by John Heath

Letter - from Robert Cadell to -

Dear Sir,
We are favoured with yours of the 23rd. It is impossible for us to ask Sir Walter Scott to do what you wish. He must be left to reply to your proposal in the way to send his own views.

We are sorry we cannot have your Aid in the usual way.

Yours truly
Robert Cadell.
[Cadell and Davies were well known publishers]

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Thursday 31 December 1829
Charles Heath, 6 Seymour Place, Euston Square, to Dawson Turner

My Dear Sir,
I have the pleasure of sending you by this day coach a set of Proofs (Engraver's Proof) of the "Keepsake" and send the "Landscape Annual" also, Large and Small paper copies of the work which I hope you will approve of. The success of the "Landscape Annual" is almost equal to the Keepsake, and is very much admired both for Plates and the Literary department.

I was in hope before this of being able to state when there would be a dividend on my estate. The day was fixed for Trial about six weeks since, the day before the other party withdrew the record - we thought the thing abandoned but now they have given us notice for a fresh trial - I cannot possibly understand what they want unless it is to put money into the pockets of the Lawyers. If they gain the Day they [?gain?] nothing.

I trust however it will not be long before this very unpleasant matter is settled and I hope eventually you will not be a loser.

With the compliments of the season and hoping your family are well,

I remain, dear Sir, very truly yours.
Charles Heath

 

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1830