Background
Little is known about this album of pen and ink drawings of heraldic
emblems. A book plate inside the cover bears the name "Thomas Sharpe." The name
"W. Sharpe" is stamped at the top of the first page and, although it is
tempting to ascribe the book to the noted antiquary Thomas Sharp (1770-1841) or
to the even more famous engraver, William Sharp (1749-1824), one must observe
that neither of these gentlemen spelled his name with the final "e." The style
of calligraphy employed in the freehand drawings found in the album seems
typical of that used between 1750 and 1850. Certain spelling errors ("feild"
for "field," for instance) indicate that the author was probably a person of
modest education. The layout of the album suggests that it might have been used
as a sourcebook by an engraver, artisan or weaver employed regularly on
bookplate commissions, paintings, hangings, carpetry, or the like.