The two prints titled A Pretty Copy are portraits of Isaac Gosset in half-length slightly hunched with his elbows resting on the auction table and with a copy of Samuel Butler’s satirical poem Hudibras open in his hands. In slight profile to the right, he wears a black Jacket and waistcoat. In one print he wears a tricone hat, and in the second this is exchanged for a round one. A “Catalogue of Books to be sold by auction” lies open on the table next to an ink well and quill. The hand of the auctioneer holding a gavel appears ex machina from the left. Behind Dr. Gosset are shelves lined with books. The inscription on one of these prints identifies Gosset as “An Old Friend with a new Beaver Reputed a favourite of Minerva and no puff”. These two versions of the same print show Gosset in the same setting but with a different hat. Apparently, offended by the first caricature produced for the print seller Alexander Benugo, “Gosset considered abandoning auctions altogether, but instead exchanged his tricorn hat for a more fashionable one, and the caricature was altered accordingly” (ODNB). Hence the inscription “An old friend with a new beaver” (‘beaver’ referring to Gosset’s new top hat).
The third etching gives a full-length portrait Dr. Gosset shown in profile to the left smartly dressed in black tails, waistcoat, breeches (knee-length), stockings, buckled shoes and a three-cornered hat. He carries a red book tucked under his left arm and carries a cane in his right.
Isaac Gosset (1745-1812) was a book collector and clergyman who was a familiar figure in the salerooms of the London book auctioneers and renowned for his bibliomania. These prints show him in his customary seat beside the rostrum, from which he kept up a running commentary on the lots as they went up, his catchphrase “a pretty copy” making its way into the caricatures.
Dr. G…..T.D.D. exaggerates the collector’s short stature but the inscription refers to him highly as a man whose opinion on bibliographical matters was deferred to: “Good humour’d Learned, Eloquent & of Perfect Acquaintance with Ancient Manuscripts & Books”. The inscription to “A Pretty Copy” likewise describes Gosset as “a favorite of Minerva” (goddess of wisdom) and “no puff” (no idle boast). Following his death in 1812, Gosset’s library was auctioned by Leigh and Sotheby between 7th June and 2nd July 1813, in 5740 lots and fetched a total of £3141 7s. 6d.
These prints were published and sold by Alexander Benugo, whose trade cards advertised “Alexr. Beugo. 38, Maiden Lane. A collection of fine specimens of Portraits, Topography, History, Ornaments, Etchings, line Engraving, &c. &c. at reasonable prices.”
