Bound presentation album by Anna Atkins and Anne Dixon containing 74 original cyanotypes of botanical, feather, and textile specimens. Images depict algae, ferns, flowers, seaweed, and other plants; feathers from birds such as the peacock, emu, partridge, and duck; and needlework. The majority of the photographs include handwritten captions reproduced by cyanotype that identify plants by their Latin name or location, feathers by the English name of the bird, groups of specimens by the type of material depicted, and other descriptors. Locations outside of Britain mentioned in captions include Ceylon, South America, and Jamaica. The album is bound in brown cloth with yellow endpapers, gilt edges, and a gilt spine title
Description:
Anna Atkins (1799-1871) was an English botanist and photographer. In 1825 she married John Pelly Atkins. Between 1843 and 1853 she privately published three volumes of Photographs of British Algae, considered to be the first book illustrated with photographs. She and Anne Dixon were close friends and collaborators., Anne Dixon (1799-1864) was an English botanist and photographer. She was raised by John George Children, father of Anna Atkins, and in 1837 married Henry Dixon, who became vicar of St. Andrew's church in Ferring. She and Anna Atkins were close friends and collaborators. She was the aunt of Captain Henry Dixon., Captain Henry Dixon (1824-1883) was the nephew of Henry and Anne Dixon. In addition to serving in the Madras Infantry in John Company's Army (East India Company), Dixon was an accomplished amateur photographer., Captions in Latin and English., Inscription on front free endpaper: "Captain Henry Dixon with his Aunt Henry's kind love -- Ferring Vicarage, June 21, 1861.", Title from spine of album., and Date estimated from pages watermarked "J. Whatman Turkey Mill" and dated 1845, 1851, and 1856, as well as the date of the inscription to Captain Dixon.
Subject (Topic):
Algae, Blueprinting, Feathers, Needlework, Plants, and Marine algae
"The Duchess of Devonshire, carrying Fox on her back, approaches an alehouse. The host, a black man named 'Mungo', stands on his doorstep delightedly filling a glass for the Duchess; a fat disreputable slattern stands behind him. The Duchess, who supports herself by a large staff, holds a full purse in her hand, saying, "For the good of the Constitution give me a Glass of Gin", the suggestion being that she will pay a large sum for the gin to secure a vote (cf. British Museum Satires No. 6548). Her hat with ostrich plumes and fox's brush has a favour inscribed 'Fox ForNi'. Fox, one hand resting on her shoulder, waves his hat; they are both in profile to the right. Over the doorway of the alehouse (or perhaps brothel) is inscribed 'Mungo's Hotel Dealer in British Spirits'; the woman says, "Give the poor Man a Vote my Dear he is a good Man for the Ladies". A dog beside her barks at the visitors. The gabled roofs and casement windows indicated in the background suggest that this is an old and disreputable part of Westminster, resembling Peter Street as in British Museum Satires No. 6548. The crowd, which is very freely sketched, also suggests a low neighbourhood; a man and woman walk or dance along, their arms round each other's shoulders; he flourishes a full tankard. An excited group shout and wave their hats round two tall standards: one, 'Fox and Liberty all over the world', above two crossed executioner's axes, the other, 'Rights of the Commons' and 'No Prerogative', with a cap of Liberty on the pole."--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title etched below image., Attributed to Rowlandson. See British Museum catalogue and Grego., Sheet trimmed within plate mark., 1 print : etching with stipple on wove paper, hand-colored ; sheet 24 x 34.2 cm., and Formerly mounted on leaf 72 of volume 1 of 14 volumes.
Publisher:
Pubd. May 1st, 1784, by W. Humphrey, No. 227 Strand
Subject (Geographic):
England and London.
Subject (Name):
Cavendish, Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire, 1757-1806, Fox, Charles James, 1749-1806, and Great Britain. Parliament
Subject (Topic):
Elections, 1784, Political elections, Eating & drinking facilities, Doors & doorways, Alcoholic beverages, Staffs (Sticks), Purses, Feathers, Dogs, Casement windows, Crowds, and Liberty cap
