Edward Gwyn Sketchbook. Three slight sketches of heraldry inside front cover

Sketchbook containing sixty-two leaves, bound in vellum. Stored inside is a small loose sketch and two letters and a postcard from R. C. Anderson to Dr E. A. Dingley.

The book is inscribed inside one cover ‘No 118. Gwyn’s Cat. of Books p. 33 / Lettered “Ships. Vol. 1” / Drawn and coloured by / Mr Edward Gwyn / Coach-Herald Painter / 110 Long Acre / London / circ. 1780’, and ‘Edward Gwyn, 1769, at the other end heraldic matters. H.G.’ The following pages are filled with drawings of various ships, from a 90-gun man-of-war to a sailing boat. The drawings appear to have been sketched first in graphite, then gone over pen-and-ink and finished with wash and watercolour.

The other inside cover is inscribed ‘Henry Gwyn Herald Painter Greek St. Soho 1856. 1838.’ At this end of the book is an elaborate tablet with armorial bearings, inscribed ‘E. Gwyn 1769’. The following pages contain coats of arms. The first is in pen-and-ink, but the rest are in graphite.

See E. A. Dingley, ‘Gwyn’s Book of Ships,’ The Mariner’s Mirror 7(2) (1921): 46–52.

Object details

ID: PAG3807
Collection: Fine art
Type: Sketchbook
Materials: Graphite
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Gwyn, Edward
Date made: 1769
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: 218 mm x 280 mm x 23 mm
Parts: Edward Gwyn Sketchbook. Three slight sketches of heraldry inside front cover