5459 - Brookshaw - Pair of Plum Engravings

Brookshaw - Pair of Plum Engravings Description of the work: Included in this lot: Plums [Red Magnum Bonum, Blue Perdrigon Plum, Le Royal Plum, Whaite Magnum Bonum] Plums [Common Damson, White Damson] Description of the work: This remarkable, large folio fruit engraving is from George Brookshaw's Pomona Britannica, or a Collection of the Most Esteemed Fruits at present cultivated in the country; together with the Blossoms and Leaves of such as are necessary to distinguish the various sorts from each other. The work featured originally hand-colored aquatint engravings created using the color printed stipple method. They were engraved by R. Brookshaw & H. Merke. George Brookshaw published the work in London between 1804 and 1812. Dunthorne remarked on Brookshaw and his work as “One of the eminent English artists of the early nineteenth century is George Brookshaw, who issued in 1812, Pomona Britannica. Ninety aquatint plates, printed in colour and on a scale comparable to Thornton’s Temple of Flora, depict the fruit grown around London and particularly in the royal gardens at Hampton Court. In Aquatint Engravings, Brookshaw’s Pomona Britannica is described by S. T. Prideaux as 'one of the finest colour plate books in existence.' In many of these plates the lovely mellow tones of the fruit glow against the dark or light brown backgrounds.” Paper Size: p. 17: ~ 22 5/8" by 18 1/4"; Plate Mark ~ 14 5/8" by 18 1/2"; p. 22: ~ 18 1/8" by 22 5/8"; Plate Mark ~ 13 5/8" by 17 1/2" Paper Type or Special Features: Large Folio, Originally Hand-colored Aquatint Engraving Condition: The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. There may be some toning or smudging in the margins. There may be a few minor imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact with any questions.