As I've mentioned before having beautiful prints of flowers and plants in your home is like bringing the outside indoors. If you're looking to brighten up your decor or simply love collecting botanical prints then the work of Pierre Joseph Buchoz is worth considering. Buchoz, a physician and naturalist, is now best known as a compiler and book publisher of enormous energy. The complete list of his works runs to over 500, the majority of them now very rare. The print below is among 1200 plates from the set of a broad variety of botanicals by Buchoz (also spelled Buc'hoz), an extremely prolific author of botanical books in the latter half of the 18th century. Above: Rare botanical print Indian Mallow Abutilon indicum on 18th century hand laid paper from Pierre Joseph Buchoz Herbier Artificiel Botanical Print 1783.
Buchoz was a physician & lawyer by training, as well as a passionate naturalist. He was physician to many prominent individuals, including the King of Poland, the brother of the King of France & the Duke of Artois. He was an enthusiastic and prolific publisher of botanical works including Herbier Artificiel, Histoire du Regne Vegetal, Histoire Universelle, Le Jardin d’Eden & Collections Precieuse et Eluminees des Fleurs. Early on, he recognized the significance of Japanese & Chinese drawing techniques, and was the first to publish drawings by Asian artists, a good century before the passion for the Orient overtook Europe. For full details of this print go HERE It's currently available in my Etsy Store . . . Happy Hunting! I've been fortunate to live just a step away from the River Thames near London on and off for most of my life. I'm now parked further out west and just a minutes walk from the river near Marlow in Buckinghamshire. I never tire of walking along by the river. Maybe you have a connection in your own past with a river, maybe the river Thames? Antique river maps remain popular with collectors and checking some recent stock I came across some more of these wonderful maps produced by Henry Taunt. Above: Original River Thames 'Map 4' by Henry W. Taunt c1885 Photographer to the Oxford Architectural and Historical Society from 'A New Map of The River Thames from Thames Head to London' on a scale of two inches to a mile.
The maps were produced in lithograph with early albumen prints added to each map before publication. In the example above there is also additional later hand colour. About thirty maps were produced and published in 'A New Map of The River Thames from Thames Head to London' c1885 Oxford Taunt & Co 9 & 10 Broad Street, London, Simpkin Marshall & Co Stationers Hall Court. These are wonderful small format maps that make a lovely gift and are popular with collectors you can see more examples HERE. Another book recommendation for the novice antique map collector. This edition of Maps and Map Makers includes many additions to the Bibliographies and Lists of Maps; a number of additional illustrations; and a completely fresh chapter on the Maps of the Scandinavian Countries. On its release it was said to be the most comprehensive book and the most attractive on maps ever written.....a magnificently illustrated study of map-making from the earliest times to the mid nineteenth century. Above: Maps and Map Makers by R.V. Tooley. Publisher: Bonanza Books, Crown Publishing by B.T. Batsford Ltd.
Amateur collectors will find this book most useful; experts, librarians and booksellers will hardly be able to dispense with it as a reference book. As mentioned before I recommend developing a reference library geared towards your specific subject of interest. Books like this one are a great resource when it comes to understanding about maps and map makers. The benefits are many and the knowledge you gain will help you with the decision making process when it comes to future investments for your map collection. I have a copy of "Maps and Map Makers" available on this website HERE Happy Reference Book Hunting! Interest in armed conflict with stories of campaigns and battles and the continuing assessment of leaders, tactics and their strategy remains ever popular with military history enthusiasts, historical reenactment groups and antique print collectors. Here are four of the exceptional aquatint prints from Jenkins The Martial Achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1799 to 1815. Currently available in my May Bank Holiday Sale. The Battle of Quatre Bras 1815, the Battle of Talavera 1809, the Battle of Vimiera 1808 and the Battle of Rolica 1808. Thanks for looking. Top Left: The Battle of Quatre Bras was fought on 16 June 1815, as a preliminary engagement to the decisive Battle of Waterloo that occurred two days later. The battle took place near the strategic crossroads of Quatre Bras and was contested between elements of the Duke of Wellington's Anglo-allied army and the left wing of Napoleon Bonaparte's French Armée du Nord under Marshal Michel Ney.
Top Right: The Battle of Talavera was fought just outside the town of Talavera de la Reina, Spain some 120 kilometres southwest of Madrid, during the Peninsular War. At Talavera, an Anglo-Spanish army under Sir Arthur Wellesley combined with a Spanish army under General Cuesta in operations against French-occupied Madrid. Bottom Left: In the Battle of Vimeiro (sometimes shown as "Vimiera" or "Vimeira" in contemporary British texts) on 21 August 1808, the British under General Arthur Wellesley (who later became the Duke of Wellington) defeated the French under Major-General Jean-Andoche Junot near the village of Vimeiro, near Lisbon, Portugal during the Peninsular War. Bottom right: In the Battle of Roliça an Anglo-Portuguese army under Sir Arthur Wellesley defeated an outnumbered Imperial French division under General of Division Henri François Delaborde, near the village of Roliça in Portugal. The French retired in good order. Formerly spelled Roleia in English, it was the first battle fought by the British army during the Peninsular War. For more info on the prints available go HERE Affordable portrait prints remain popular. They tell us something about the subject and about how the subject wanted to be depicted. I regularly have buyers purchase small engraved portraits of eminent personages of. These engravings were engraved from authentic pictures in the galleries of the nobility and public collections of the country. Portraiture is such a vast genre, that there is bound to be something within it that you may like. It could be some historic family connection, military interest or simply an artistic appreciation for the portrait. Above: Cardinal Wolsey after the original by Holbein in the collection at Christ Church, Oxford. Here engraved by W.T. Mote with the addition of later fine hand colour. Published: Portraits of Illustrious personages of Great Britain. Engraved from Authentic Pictures in the Galleries of the Nobility and the Public Collections of the Country. Edmund Lodge, Esq. F.S.A. c1835.
Thomas Wolsey was an English archbishop, statesman and a cardinal of the Catholic Church. When Henry VIII became King of England in 1509, Wolsey became the King's almoner. Wolsey's affairs prospered, and by 1514 he had become the controlling figure in virtually all matters of state. Some collectors prefer coloured prints for decorative purposes or to display as they look more attractive coloured. Many people collect engraved prints that have been painted with additional watercolour after the engraving was produced. Because the approach of each water colourist in a sense produces a unique 'new work' its fair to say that the addition of colour gives the buyer a truly unique print. This may well be perfect as a gift or present for a loved one. If you're looking for a particular engraving of a historic personage feel free to drop me an email. Happy Hunting! The above engraved print is set within a 10" x 8" mount ready for framing. You can see more portrait prints HERE. As I've said before on the blog the size of something does not always properly indicate its true value. Often the case when it comes to so called miniature maps. If you're new to collecting. there are some big advantages to collecting small. The wonderful thing about these smaller antique maps is its a good place to start if you're not sure about how you want to move forward with starting a collection. Obviously the rare items will demand a higher price however its an area where many new collectors can get a foothold. A favourite of mine is the work of Alain Mallet a French cartographer and engineer. He started his career as a soldier in the army of Louis XIV, became a Sergeant-Major in the artillery and an Inspector of Fortifications. He also served under the King of Portugal, before returning to France, and his appointment to the court of Louis XIV. Above: "Groenland" by Alain Manesson Mallet c1683 Greenland, Baffin Bay & Islands, North East Canada, America Coast from Description de L'Univers'.
His five volume work Description de l'univers was originally published in Paris in 1683 and contained almost 700 small engravings of maps, charts, plans and views. The first volume contained many celestial charts and maps others covered Asia, Africa, Europe, America and the British Isles. A year later in 1684 Johann David Zunner also published an edition with French text. Alain Mallet is just one cartographer worth considering when it comes to so called miniature antique maps. Good things do come in small sizes. In some cases rare, collectable, small and valuable considering they are over 340 years old! You can see more miniature antique maps by Alain Mallet in the World & Hemisphere section on this website HERE Another print from Jenkins The Martial Achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1799 to 1815. Below the print is a short excerpt from the original written account as published with the print. Wellington’s victory on 22nd July 1812 over the French army of Marshal Marmont, during the Peninsular War, leading to the re-capture of Madrid; also known as the Battle of Los Arapiles or Les Arapiles. The battle involved: 50,000 British, Portuguese and Spanish troops against 52,000 French troops. Allied losses numbered 3,129 British and 2,038 Portuguese dead or wounded. The Spanish troops took no part in the battle as they were positioned to block French escape routes and suffered just six casualties. The French suffered about 13,000 dead, wounded and captured. As a consequence of Wellington's victory, his army was able to advance to and liberate Madrid for two months, before retreating to Portugal. Above: Battle of Salamanca, July 22nd 1812. London Published Jan1st 1815 by J. Jenkins, 48 Strand. From The Martial achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1799 to 1815 by James Jenkins.
Excerpt from the written account as published: MAY 16, 1809. THE annexed illustration represents the allied troops, under the command of the Duke of Wellington, then Sir Arthur Wellesley, in the line of battle in which they were drawn up at the taking of Salamonda. The fore-ground is occupied by the great Lord, a title given by the Portuguese to that illustrious commander; and in this part of the print is also delineated his staff, with some of the artillery employed against that place. The high and encomiastic title of Great Lord, given by a country of rigid Catholics to one whom they conceived to be a heretic, is a striking proof of the effect of splendid talents over the most inveterate prejudice. In this battle the Guards, as appears in the extract from the dispatches annexed, gave another proof of their valour and discipline: but, as the Duke of Wellington has often declared in his dispatches, where all have behaved well, it is invidious to mention any single body. England expected-nor has she been disappointed-every man to do his duty! Extract of a Letter from Sir ARTHUR WELLESLEY, addressed to Lord CASTLEREAGH, dated Monte Alegre, 18th of May, 1809. On the evening of the 14th, I was certain, from the movements of the enemy's detachments, in the neighbourhood of Braga, that he intended to direct his retreat upon Chaves or Monte Alegre; and I directed General Beresford, in case of the latter movement, to push on for Monterey, so as to stop the enenmy if he should pass by Villa de Rey. General Beresford had anticipated my orders to march bis own corps upon Chaves, and had already sent General Silvierra to occupy the passes of Ruivaes and Malgassey, near Salamonda. I arrived at Braga on the 15th (General Murray being at Guimariens, and the enemy about 15 miles in our front), and at Salamonda on the 16th, where we bad an afair with their rear guard. The Guards, under Lieutenant-General Sherbrooke.... How to Identify the Prints: The original prints from The Martial achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1799 to 1815 are aquatint engravings on a medium weight wove paper. Plates also exist that were printed on India Paper. They should clearly identify bottom left W. Heath (delt) who did the drawings and bottom right T. Sutherland (sculpt) who produced most of the aquatint engravings with some by D. Havell, M. Dubourg and J. Hill. Each plate has the date of publication and the name of the publisher beneath the engraved title. The approx engraved area of the plates are 8.5" x 7.75" (215mm x 195mm) including the engraved title text. Engraved plate mark area is approx 8.5 x 11.75 (215mm x 300mm). The large sheet size is approx 11.5" x 14" (290mm x 355mm). You can see more prints from Jenkins The Martial achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1799 to 1815 HERE. If you're interested in a specific print and you cannot see it on my website please feel free to message me.
This can be a real danger when it comes to buying on auction sites like eBay. People ‘watch’ items of interest. If you see an item that you’re interested in you need to be swift about taking action.
The danger is while you're busy ‘not watching’ another buyer gets in and grabs the item you were interested in. You could have simply contacted the seller and asked could you do a deal on a best price offer. While your sitting around watching someone else will be taking action especially if you’ve found a little gem. The reality is we’re all very busy people and “Watching the World Go By” can become a huge waste of time. I favour and recommend taking action quickly.
Above: This is a quick step by step guide to buying online with practical suggestions and 'real life' examples of what can be achieved. Get your copy today!
If you see an item and it's definitely what you’re after, you’ve checked out the seller and all available information, description, pictures etc, yes all the small print as suggested, then I recommend take action immediately. Approach the seller and politely ask is there a deal to be done. . . . Since last November I've been sharing with you some of the exceptional aquatint prints from Jenkins The Martial Achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1799 to 1815 and Jenkins The Naval Achievements of Great Britain, From the Year 1793 to 1817. Interest in armed conflict with stories of campaigns and battles and the continuing assessment of leaders, tactics and their strategy remains ever popular with military history enthusiasts, historical reenactment groups and antique print collectors. Closely inked to this interest is a passion for collecting associated military battle plans and maps. Most of these provide military signs and illustrations of fortifications while also providing a knowledge of topographical peculiarities of a country or area to enable a proper understanding of military history. These special 'battle plan' maps are indispensable as such information is simply not available within general geography. Above: The Battle of Dresden 26th & 27th August 1813, from the Atlas to Alison's History of Europe By Sir Archibald Alison by Alexander Keith Johnson, F.R.S.E F.R.G.S. F.G.S. Published by William Blackwood & Sons, Edinburgh and London c1875. Original map produced with mechanical outline colour. Addition later fine wash hand colour embellishments make this a unique edition of the map.
The Battle of Dresden (26–27 August 1813) was a major engagement of the Napoleonic Wars. The battle took place around the city of Dresden in modern-day Germany. With the recent addition of Austria, the Sixth Coalition felt emboldened in their quest to expel the French from Central Europe. Despite being heavily outnumbered, French forces under Napoleon scored a victory against the Army of Bohemia led by Field Marshal Karl von Schwarzenberg. However, Napoleon's victory did not lead to the collapse of the coalition, and the weather and the uncommitted Russian reserves who formed an effective rear-guard precluded a major pursuit. Three days after the battle, the Allies surrounded and destroyed a French corps advancing into their line of withdrawal at the Battle of Kulm. These maps and plans provide great incite into such military operations and are a valuable source of information to the ever growing number of passionate military collectors. You can see more military battle plans HERE. Happy Hunting! Another book recommendation for novice antique map collectors is The Mapping of Australia by Ronald Vere Tooley. This volume presents a brief historical account of the Mapping of Australia; to show its evolution from a theoretical conception to a precise fact; the slow emergence of its outline throughout the centuries; the first fixing of its exact limits on the maps of the world; followed by an alphabetical list of maps relating to Australia formerly in Mr Tooley's possession, and now reposing in the National Library in Canberra. The list of maps is not exhaustive but a considerable body of material has been assembled to illustrate one of the most varied and interesting subjects in the whole history of regional geography. The work, which is further enhanced by the inclusion of facsimiles of 239 maps of the period, will provide a reliable reference to future carto-bibliographical research for librarian, bookdealer and private collector." Above: The Mapping of Australia. Tooley, R.V. with an index compiled by Douglas Matthews. Publisher: Holland Press Cartographica and Richard B. Arkway. first edition (London, 1979)
As previously mentioned I recommend developing a reference library geared towards your specific subject of interest. The benefits are many and the knowledge you gain will help you with the decision making process when it comes to future investments for your map collection. These books are a great resource when it comes to understanding about maps and learning about your subject of interest. More info on "The Mapping of Australia" can be found HERE Happy Reference Book Hunting! James Jenkins: "The Martial Achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1799 to 18153/28/2021 Just four of the exceptional aquatint prints available now in my March Sale. Included with each print is the original folio printed text pages account of the action as first published with the prints by James Jenkins. Beautiful aquatint prints and very collectable. I have prints available from the two works published by James Jenkins: "The Martial Achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1799 to 1815." and "The Naval Achievements of Great Britain From the Year 1793 to 1817". Above: Top Left: Battle of St Jean De Luz 1813. Top Right: Siege of St Sebastian 1813. Bottom Left: Battle of Vittoria, Bringing in the Prisoners Bottom Right: Battle of Morales 1813.
All aquatint engravings on a medium weight wove paper. Plates also exist that were printed on India Paper. They should clearly identify bottom left W. Heath (delt) who did the drawings and bottom right T. Sutherland (sculpt) who produced most of the aquatint engravings with some by D. Havell, M. Dubourg and J. Hill. Each plate has the date of publication and the name of the publisher beneath the engraved title. The approx engraved area of the plates are 8.5" x 7.75" (215mm x 195mm) including the engraved title text. Engraved plate mark area is approx 8.5 x 11.75 (215mm x 300mm). The large sheet size is approx 11.5" x 14" (290mm x 355mm). Here is the link to see more prints: "The Martial Achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1799 to 1815." Just four of the exceptional aquatint prints available now in my March Sale. Included with each print is the original folio printed text pages account of the action as first published with the prints by James Jenkins. Beautiful aquatint prints and very collectable. I have prints available from the two works published by James Jenkins: "The Naval Achievements of Great Britain From the Year 1793 to 1817" and "The Martial Achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1799 to 1815." Above: Bombardment of Algiers, Aug 27th 1816. Capture of the Island of Banda, Aug 9th 1810. Capture of Argus, Aug 14th 1813. Capture of Le Sparviere, May 3rd 1810.
All original aquatint engraving on medium weight wove paper with wide margins. Good overall condition with exceptional original colour. The plate has the date of publication and the name of the publisher beneath the engraved title. The approx engraved image area of the plate is 7" x 10.25" (175mm x 260mm). Engraved plate mark area is approx 8.5 x 11.75 (215mm x 300mm). The folio sheet size is approx 11.5" x 14" (290mm x 355mm). "As a record of naval events spanning a period of over twenty years it has no precedent. At no time prior to 1817 had a publisher attempted such a complete volume of documentary naval prints. It is the quality of accuracy which makes Jenkins so valuable" Roger Quarm curator of pictures at the National Maritime Museum 1998. Please contact me directly if you have any questions about these original aquatint prints. More examples of these fine prints HERE If you were investing serious money you’d be a fool not to do your due diligence. Only then can you walk away perfectly happy and comfortable holding that investment if the market shuts down for the next ten years. Hence the Warren Buffett quote on investing. What does this have to do with buying rare maps and prints online? I bet you’ve heard this said before “I forgot to check the small print”. Ever done that yourself over some really important transaction or deal? Most of us have made this mistake at sometime. Buying online has become so simple these days that it’s easy to forget to check on the details! When it comes to those scarce old maps or collectable prints these items often can have a high value. All the more reason to make sure you check the description and images provided and contact the seller to ask for additional information and images if need be. You should also check:
Its fair to say that when buying online you need to have your wits about you. There are many reliable and trustworthy online antique map and print dealers and sellers. Its simply good business practice to check the small print so you can buy with confidence.
Happy Buying! More help with "Buying Rare Maps and Prints Online" in this free ebook available on my START PAGE Another print from James Jenkins The Naval Achievements of Great Britain. These original prints are aquatint engravings on a medium weight wove paper and coloured by hand. The Action of 24 June 1795 was a minor naval engagement fought in the Western Basin of the Mediterranean Sea during the French Revolutionary Wars. This print depicts the confrontation between two British and two French naval ships. Minerve was a French 40-gun frigate launched in 1794. On 23 June 1795, she and the 36-gun Artémise engaged the frigates HMS Dido and Lowestoffe. Minerve surrendered to the British, Artémise having fled, and was commissioned in the Royal Navy as HMS Minerve. Above: Capture of La Minerve, June 24th 1795. Published May 1st 1816 at 48 Strand for J. Jenkins Naval Achievements. From The Naval achievements of Great Britain and Her Allies from 1793 to 1817 by J. Jenkins.
How to Identify the Prints: The original prints from "The Naval Achievements of Great Britain. From the Year 1793 to 1817" are aquatint engravings on a medium weight wove paper. All the plates identify at bottom left Painted by T. Whitcombe and bottom right T. Sutherland (sculpt) who produced the aquatint engravings. Some plates were engraved by Jeakes and Bailey after Whitcombe. Each plate is accompanied by text pages describing the action, often with lists of ships captured or sunk, and excerpts from contemporary bulletins, dispatches, letters, and speeches. The first edition appeared in 1817. Early issues have watermarks of J. Whatman with the undated watermark IIS&S on some plates. The vignette title page was uncoloured in the first issue. The approx engraved image area of the plates are 7" x 10.25" (175mm x 260mm). Engraved plate mark area is approx 8.5 x 11.75 (215mm x 300mm). The folio sheet size is approx 11.5" x 14" (290mm x 355mm). You can see more prints from Jenkins The Naval Achievements of Great Britain, From the Year 1793 to 1817 HERE. If you're interested in a specific print and you cannot see it on my website please feel free to message me Here's another book recommendation for the novice antique map collector especially if you're interest is the British Isles. County Atlases of the British Isles is designed as an aid to the study of the evolution of the English county atlas by establishing the genetic relationship between atlases, by tracing the history and successive users of map-plates, and by providing descriptions in such detail as to enable loose sheets, single maps, to be assigned to the atlas in which they were originally issued. A section of particular value is that on the history of the English map trade during the Tudor and Stuart periods. This original contribution to the subject is made from systematic examination of original documents such as map-sellers catalogues and wills. Important too are the three separate, comprehensive indexes: of persons, subjects, and titles. Above: Collecting Antique Maps - County Atlases of the British Isles 1579-1703. Skelton R.A. Sometime Superintendent of the Map Room in the British Museum and Honoray Secretary of the Hakluyt Society. Publisher: Carta Press 1970.
Collectors of county maps and atlases will find Skelton's authoritative book an indispensable reference work of permanent value. Developing a reference library geared towards your subject of interest is well worth doing. If that interest is the 'British Isles' then this is a super reference work that will set you right especially if you want to invest in maps of Books like this one are a great resource when it comes to understanding about maps and learning about your subject of interest. The benefits are many and the knowledge you gain will help you with the decision making process when it comes to future investments for your map collection. I have a copy of "County Atlases of the British Isles 1579-1703" available on my website HERE Happy Reference Book Hunting! |
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