AARON RATHBORNE

PASSE, Simon de.  AARON RATHBORNE.                                

(London): 1616. (7 3/4 x 4 3/4 inches). Engraved portrait.

A rare engraved proof copy before letters dated 1616 of the portrait of the renowned English surveyor and mathematician Aaron Rathborne by Simon de Passe that was used as the frontispiece plate to his classic surveyor's work The Surveyor in Foure Bookes, (1616).  The lower corners of the oval portrait are decorated with various mathematical and surveying instruments while the upper corners are decorated with a row of bound volumes of the classic works in geometry, surveying, and mathematics--Euclid, Copernicus, etc.  Rathborne's work is recorded in several early Virginia libraries including that of William Byrd of Westover and Robert Carter of Nomini Hall.  Simon de Passe was the son of prominent Dutch engraver and publisher Crispin Van de Passe the Elder who worked in Utrecht.  Simon moved to London in 1616 and established for himself a successful portrait engraving practice.  The National Portrait Gallery in London also owns a fine example of the proof before letters print.

 

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