79/2130 [Alba amicorum]. "Recueil de Dessins, dediés à Jean Guillaume d'Imbyze de Batenburg". Album containing title (pen and ink and grey wash, dated "Le 6 Mars 1817" and "Maastricht 1817") and ±85 drawings, incl. watercolours, gouache, pen and ink (and black/ brown/ grey wash) and a few pencil/ chalk drawings, partly mounted or tipped-in and a few loosely inserted, mostly w. manuscript caption/ dedication (recto and/ or verso), dated 1779-1829, contemp. calf w. giltlettered "Johan Willem van Imbyze van Batenburg" on frontcover, obl. 8vo, in contemp. marbled board slipcase.

- Prob. lacks a few drawings (most lvs. numbered in upper corner and numbering occas. skipping).

= Johan Willem van Imbyze van Batenburg (1756-1837) was a high-ranking Dutch military officer. Many drawings in his album amicorum were made by other officers and are military-themed. Several drawings are of remarkably high quality. Also containing some fine maritime views with ships, two nice trompe l'oeil drawings and three drawings with a movable part, i.a. a fine drawing of a butterfly with one liftable wing revealing a skull and bones and a particularly naughty drawing titled "Hony soit qui mal y pense", showing a blind beggar stepping on a lady's dress, thus uncovering her bottom. A small portion of flimsy paper covering the compromising bodypart can be lifted by gently blowing from the side. An accompanying letter by the draughtsman states: "Hoog Geachte Generaal! Toen ik hierbij leggend vrouwebeeldje ongeveer had afgetekend komt een arme blinde bedelaar op het kleed van een der dames treden en brengt mij daar door in de grootste verlegenheid, daar ik gene kans zie de veroorzaakte naaktheid weder te bedekken, gelukkig dat het slegts van agteren is. Had de dame maar een onderrok aangetogen, waarschijnlijk is dit verzuym aan de brandende hitte van deze zomer toeteschrijven (...)".

Some names of contributors: F.D.V. Cornabé, C. de Bonstetten, P. Duvelaer van Campen, J.A. van Mansvelt, F. van Gorkum and C.P.J. Hoijnck van Papendrecht. SEE ILUSTRATION PLATE LXXVIII.