1991 Great Britain First Day Cover, featuring a single stamp and an illustration of Thomas Bewick’s "A Fox Hound."

Key Points

• This product is a 1991 Great Britain First Day Cover, featuring a single stamp and an illustration of Thomas Bewick’s "A Fox Hound."
• It includes a 31-pence stamp depicting George Stubbs’ painting "Two Hounds in a Landscape," postmarked on January 8, 1991, in Edinburgh by the British Philatelic Bureau.
• The cover honors Thomas Bewick, an English engraver and naturalist, and his depiction of "A Fox Hound," part of a series celebrating British art and natural history.
• As a collectible, it is likely valued between $5 and $15, depending on condition and market demand.

Product Overview

The 1991 Great Britain First Day Cover is a philatelic item celebrating the work of Thomas Bewick, a renowned English engraver and naturalist. Featuring a detailed illustration of Bewick’s "A Fox Hound" and a 31-pence stamp showcasing George Stubbs’ painting "Two Hounds in a Landscape," this cover highlights British art and natural history. Issued by the British Philatelic Bureau, it’s a perfect addition for collectors of British stamps, art history, and natural history memorabilia, offering a unique glimpse into the legacy of two influential artists and their depictions of canine subjects.

Historical Context

Thomas Bewick (1753–1828) was a pivotal figure in British art and natural history, celebrated for his intricate wood engravings of animals and birds, particularly in works like A General History of Quadrupeds (1790) and History of British Birds (1797–1804). His engraving of "A Fox Hound," depicted on this cover, showcases his ability to capture the essence of animals with precision and artistry, often set against detailed landscapes. The 1991 issuance of this first day cover, part of a series celebrating British art, reflects a renewed appreciation for Bewick’s contributions to illustration and natural history during the late 20th century. The stamp, featuring George Stubbs’ "Two Hounds in a Landscape," connects two artists known for their animal depictions, with Stubbs (1724–1806) being a prominent 18th-century painter of horses and dogs, often commissioned by British aristocracy.

Collectible Value

First day covers from Great Britain, especially those issued by the British Philatelic Bureau, are popular among collectors for their quality and historical themes. This 1991 cover, with its clear postmark, detailed illustration, and well-preserved condition, is likely valued between $5 and $15, based on typical market trends for similar items. Its focus on Thomas Bewick and George Stubbs, combined with its artistic and natural history theme, enhances its appeal to collectors of British stamps, art history, and natural history memorabilia.

Unexpected Detail: The Fox Hound and British Hunting Traditions

An interesting aspect of this cover is its connection to British hunting traditions through the depiction of a fox hound. Fox hounds have been integral to British fox hunting since the 16th century, a practice deeply embedded in rural culture and often associated with the aristocracy. Bewick’s engraving of "A Fox Hound," published in A General History of Quadrupeds, captures the breed’s sleek form and alertness, traits that made it ideal for hunting. Similarly, Stubbs’ "Two Hounds in a Landscape" reflects the 18th-century fascination with hunting dogs, often painted for landowners who prized their hounds. This cover, by featuring these artworks, indirectly celebrates the historical role of fox hounds in British culture, a tradition that continued into the 20th century but became controversial, leading to the Hunting Act 2004, which banned fox hunting with dogs in England and Wales.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of the 1991 Great Britain Thomas Bewick "A Fox Hound" First Day Cover

This section provides a comprehensive examination of the 1991 Great Britain First Day Cover, exploring its features, historical context, and collectible value. The cover, analyzed through the provided image, is a philatelic item that celebrates the work of Thomas Bewick and British art, making it a valuable piece for collectors of British stamps, art, and natural history.

Product Description and Features

The 1991 Great Britain First Day Cover is a collectible envelope designed to honor Thomas Bewick, an English engraver and naturalist, featuring his illustration of "A Fox Hound." The cover showcases a detailed engraving of a fox hound in a reddish-brown hue, depicted in mid-stride with a rock and sparse trees in the background, reflecting Bewick’s style of combining natural subjects with scenic elements. The text "Thomas Bewick – A Fox Hound" is printed below the illustration in red.

Affixed to the cover is a single 31-pence stamp, part of a 1991 British series celebrating art and animals. The stamp features George Stubbs’ painting "Two Hounds in a Landscape," depicting two hounds—one white with black markings and the other black with white markings—standing together in a natural setting with trees and a sky in the background. The stamp is labeled "Two Hounds in a Landscape – George Stubbs" and has a denomination of 31 pence. It is postmarked with a circular cancellation reading "British Philatelic Bureau – First Day of Issue – 8 Jan 1991 – Edinburgh," confirming its first day of issue status. The cover’s condition appears excellent, with no visible tears, stains, or creases, preserving its visual and collectible value.

Historical Significance and Context

Thomas Bewick (1753–1828) was a pioneering English engraver and naturalist, renowned for revolutionizing wood engraving techniques in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His detailed illustrations of animals and birds, often accompanied by scenic vignettes, brought a new level of artistry to natural history books. Bewick’s A General History of Quadrupeds (1790) and History of British Birds (1797–1804) are considered landmarks in publishing, blending scientific observation with artistic beauty. The "A Fox Hound" featured on this cover is one of Bewick’s engravings from A General History of Quadrupeds, showcasing his ability to capture the texture and movement of animals.

The stamp on the cover features a painting by George Stubbs (1724–1806), a leading 18th-century British artist known for his anatomical precision in depicting animals, particularly horses and dogs. Stubbs’ "Two Hounds in a Landscape" reflects his skill in portraying the natural world, often commissioned by aristocratic patrons to paint their prized animals. The pairing of Bewick and Stubbs on this cover highlights two artists who contributed significantly to British art and natural history, with Bewick’s engravings and Stubbs’ paintings representing different but complementary approaches to animal depiction.

The issuance of this first day cover on January 8, 1991, by the British Philatelic Bureau reflects a broader trend in the late 20th century of celebrating British cultural heritage through philately. The 1991 series, which included this stamp, likely aimed to honor the intersection of art and natural history, appealing to collectors interested in both fields. This cover is a companion to the 1991 Great Britain First Day Cover featuring Bewick’s "Large Rough Water Dog" (previously described), indicating that the series included multiple stamps and covers celebrating Bewick’s work alongside other artists like Stubbs.

Collectible Value and Market Analysis

First day covers issued by the British Philatelic Bureau are highly regarded among collectors for their quality, design, and historical themes. The 1991 Thomas Bewick "A Fox Hound" cover, with its clear postmark, detailed illustration, and well-preserved condition, is likely valued between $5 and $15, based on market trends for similar items. This valuation aligns with the previously described 1991 Great Britain cover featuring Bewick’s "Large Rough Water Dog," which was also valued at $5–$15. British first day covers from the 1990