SMITH, JOSEPH, CONSUL
Arms.—Arg., 2 chevrons sa., each charged with 3 fleurs-de-lys of the first; on a chief gu., a lion passant or. Smith.
Crest.—A dexter arm erect, vested chequy, vert and or, holding in the hand a sheaf of 3 arrows of the last.
[Petrarch. Canzoniere. Venetiis, 1533.]
Joseph Smith (born circ. 1682, died 6th November 1770) went as a young man to Venice, and quickly became known as an ardent collector of books and objects of art generally. In 1740 he was appointed British Consul at Venice. In 1762 Smith's library was bought for George III., and formed the first important nucleus of His Majesty's splendid collection. It contained especially choice editions of the classics, and also many incunabula.
Mr. Smith continued to collect books after the king had made his purchase, and these were eventually sold by auction in 1773. George III. also acquired a fine collection of pictures, coins, and gems that had been brought together by Consul Smith.
