room to take possession of the bed upon which he was lying. Most of his prints are small in size, we do not know whether this was by choice or necessity. William Blake was at one time so poor that he had only money enough to buy small copper plates upon which to work when in his garret near the Temple.
The portrait of Charles I. here reproduced is one of ten prints Hollar did of that unhappy king. It may be procured for £2; it is a faithful and speaking likeness. In the particular example from which this illustration is made the watermark is a cardinal's hat which appears pendant over the king's head. Charles II. in armour, with emblems of the rising sun, if in fine state brings about £8. James II. when Duke of York, in an oval of palms, if in brilliant condition may realise £50. Charles I. and Henrietta Maria, ovals on the same plate, dated 1641, is rare and worth over £30. The Queen alone may be bought for half a sovereign to a sovereign—such are the fancies of collectors. Hollar's own portrait sells for 5s. to 10s. Besides portraits and figure subjects he executed many topographical views, notably the View of London from the top of Arundel House, worth 15s., and the long view of Greenwich. This latter is on two large plates, for which Hollar is said to have received only 30s. from an avaricious publisher named Stent. It costs the collector nowadays over £3.
Hollar is exceptionally successful in his reproduction of textures. In his various sets representing muffs and furs he is at his best. In a plate with Five Muffs, slightly showing the wrists of the owners, his treat-
