HARLEY FAMILY COAT OF ARMS, JACOBS ENG. PEERAGE, 1700s

A finely engraved copperplate engraving on beautiful hand-made paper, this is a rare ornamental coat-of-arms for the ancestry of the Harley family.  This rare print is from Alexander Jacob’s three volume work, “A Complete English Peerage,” published London, 1766-1769.

Jacobs (1731-1785) was educated at Worcester College and afterwards at Merton College, Oxford.  He took Holy Orders in 1760 and was chaplain to the Duke of Chandos.  In December, 1760, he became of the chaplains to King George III.

For many years, Jacobs was interested in studying the early works pertaining to British heraldry.  He wished to learn all he could about the biography and history of the illustrious heroes and patriots whose deeds were so largely responsible for the expansion and growth of the British Empire.  He was granted a license to print “A Complete English Peerage”which contained a “genealogical, biographical and historical account of peers of the realm.”  He apparently found genealogical charts rather boring compilations of names and dates as he included only 89 family charts in the three volumes.  His focus was on the history of each of the families he included in this work.

The very ornamental plates of coats-of-arms contained a shield with only the original insignia used by most of the families in the remote days of ancient knighthood.  Specific details were given in the text to determine the correct heraldic  colors to be used.  The hand coloring has been added by a professional colorist.

Size and Condition

This engraving of Harley, Earl of Oxford , shows, at the top, a castle and the side supporters are two angles in long robes.  The motto “Virtute et Fide” (Fidelity and Valor) is above the name.  Of  great interest and added value is the inclusion of the pages of extensive original text. . The approximate size is 9 ¼” x 14 ¼” and the condition is good with very little spotting.   Evidence of the original book binding is on the right side.  This would be a wonderful gift for anyone who has the Harley name in their ancestry.  A copy of the title page is included.

Shipping

Free shipping within the U.S.   International buyers: if multiple prints are purchased, the only shipping charge will be for the first one.