John Sharpe

Print and book publisher, specialising in different well-illustrated open-ended series of octavo reprints of British literature, sold in parts by subscription, with a fine engraving per part for 6d extra.

(1) Began with Shakespeare

(2) 'British Theatre'. For a series of proofs, see 1879,0809.399 to 470. (there are more unidentified proofs under 1879,0809.471 to 558).

(3) 'British Poets', 77b parts 1805-8, with a Supplement of 12 parts in 1808-9, of which Thomas Park was editor. For a series of proofs, see 1879,0809.255 to 398.

(4) 'British Classics', published in 34 volumes 1805-10, being reprints of essayists,

(5) translations of the classical authors of antiquity, in 34 nos , later re-issued as part of the 'British Poets'.

The volumes were embellished with engravings 'executed on purpose for the work by the most distinguished artists of this country' and were well printed by Charles Whittingham. The series relied heavily on the quality of the printing and the plates: a large group of proofs is in the Slade collection, 1868,0822.3085 to 3282. The prospectus for the series of reprints of literary magazines is reprinted by Weinglass, 'Fuseli', pp.232-3.

From 1808 William Suttaby (who was already involved in his own series) became a major shareholder in the enterprise, and later others came in as partners. Many of the later additions, eg. the 'Supplement to British Poets' in 12 vols. 1808-9, the 'British Prose Writers' of 1819-21, and 'Translations' of Greek and Roman authors (34 vols), usually carry Suttaby's name on the plates, though Sharpe was actively involved until 1821 when the final volume was published. There were later re-issues of collected editions under variant titles. In the BM the loose impressions from the Sharpe and Suttaby publications are being collected together in post-binders, arranged by author regardless of the series in which they were originally published.

Sharpe was also proprietor of 'The Anniversary' magazine and 'The Three Chapters' (1829).

From https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG46026 ; accessed 3/10/2023