Robert John Thornton Sold at Auction Prices

Aquatintaradierer, Mezzotintokünstler, b. 1768 - d. 1837

Robert John Thornton (1768–1837) was an English physician and botanical writer, noted for A New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnæus (1797–1807) and "The British Flora" of 1812.

He was the son of Bonnell Thornton and studied at Trinity College, Cambridge. Inspired by John Martyn's lectures on botany and the work of Linnaeus, he switched from the Church to medicine. He worked at Guy's Hospital in London, where he later lectured in medical botany. After spending some time abroad, he settled and practised in London. Robert inherited the family fortune after the death of both his brother and mother.

Thornton died in destitution.

Works:
In 1799 Thornton commenced his work on the New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus von Linnaeus, a work of botanical science to be published in three parts. The first was a dissertation on the sex of plants according to the Swedish scientist Carolus von Linnaeus, and the second an exposition of the sexual system. The most ambitious part of the New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Linnæus was Part III, the Temple of Flora (1799–1807). The first plates were engraved by Thomas Medland in May 1798, from paintings by Philip Reinagle. Between 1798 and 1807, they produced a total of thirty-three coloured plates, engraved in aquatint, stipple and line engraving. When he planned the project, Thornton had decided to publish seventy folio-size plates. Lack of interest from the general public spelled disaster for the scheme, and the holding of a lottery could not save it from financial ruin, neither did a page in the work dedicated to the spouse of George III, Queen Charlotte, patroness of botany and the fine arts. It is estimated that around 800 copies were produced, each containing 31 plates accompanied by inspirational poetry and explanatory notes covering flower lore and legend.

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  • Thornton, Folio - The Persian Cyclamen
    Aug. 29, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - The Persian Cyclamen

    Est: $1,500 - $2,500

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature. This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. Temple of Flora is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for Temple of Flora. Thornton's The Temple of Flora is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - Cupid inspiring Plants with Love
    Aug. 22, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - Cupid inspiring Plants with Love

    Est: $1,500 - $2,500

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature. This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. Temple of Flora is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for Temple of Flora. Thornton's The Temple of Flora is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - The China Limodoron
    Aug. 22, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - The China Limodoron

    Est: $1,500 - $2,500

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature. This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. Temple of Flora is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for Temple of Flora. Thornton's The Temple of Flora is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - The Aloe
    Aug. 15, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - The Aloe

    Est: $2,000 - $4,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature. This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. Temple of Flora is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for Temple of Flora. Thornton's The Temple of Flora is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - The Sacred Egyptian Bean (Water Lily)
    Aug. 08, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - The Sacred Egyptian Bean (Water Lily)

    Est: $4,000 - $8,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature. This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. Temple of Flora is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for Temple of Flora. Thornton's The Temple of Flora is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - The Persian Cyclamen
    Aug. 08, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - The Persian Cyclamen

    Est: $2,000 - $4,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature. This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. Temple of Flora is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for Temple of Flora. Thornton's The Temple of Flora is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - The Blue Egyptian Water-Lily
    Aug. 01, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - The Blue Egyptian Water-Lily

    Est: $3,000 - $6,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work "New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature". This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. "Temple of Flora" is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for "Temple of Flora". Thornton's "The Temple of Flora" is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - The Superb Lily
    Jul. 25, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - The Superb Lily

    Est: $3,000 - $6,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work "New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature". This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. "Temple of Flora" is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for "Temple of Flora". Thornton's "The Temple of Flora" is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - The Persian Cyclamen
    Jul. 25, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - The Persian Cyclamen

    Est: $2,000 - $4,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work "New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature". This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. "Temple of Flora" is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for "Temple of Flora". Thornton's "The Temple of Flora" is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - The Oblique-leaved Begonia
    Jul. 18, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - The Oblique-leaved Begonia

    Est: $2,000 - $4,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work "New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature". This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. "Temple of Flora" is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for "Temple of Flora". Thornton's "The Temple of Flora" is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - The Maggot-bearing Stapelia (Carrion Flower)
    Jul. 18, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - The Maggot-bearing Stapelia (Carrion Flower)

    Est: $2,000 - $4,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work "New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature". This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. "Temple of Flora" is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for "Temple of Flora". Thornton's "The Temple of Flora" is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • ROBERT JOHN THORNTON (ENGLISH, 1768-1837) BOTANICAL PRINT, 'TEMPLE OF FLORA'
    Jul. 12, 2026

    ROBERT JOHN THORNTON (ENGLISH, 1768-1837) BOTANICAL PRINT, 'TEMPLE OF FLORA'

    Est: $300 - $500

    Framed hand-colored aquatint engraving on paper, "The Narrow-Leaved Kalmia," from "The Temple of Flora," by Robert John Thornton (English, 1768-1837), after Philip Reinagle (English, 1749-1833), engraved by James Caldwell (English, 1739-1789), published in London, June 1st, 1804, retaining Kennedy and Company, New York gallery label verso, small repaired tear near lower left corner, overall toning, sheet affixed to mat with unknown tape at each edge, sheet: approx 22.5"h, 17.75"w, sight: approx 20"h, 14.5"w, overall: approx 29.25"h, 23"w, 8lbs **Note: one of two prints from "The Temple of Flora" offered in this auction**

    Austin Auction Gallery
  • ROBERT JOHN THORNTON (ENGLISH, 1768-1837) BOTANICAL PRINT, 'TEMPLE OF FLORA'
    Jul. 12, 2026

    ROBERT JOHN THORNTON (ENGLISH, 1768-1837) BOTANICAL PRINT, 'TEMPLE OF FLORA'

    Est: $300 - $500

    Framed hand-colored aquatint engraving on paper, "The Oblique-Leaved Begonia," from "The Temple of Flora," by Robert John Thornton (English, 1768-1837), after Philip Reinagle (English, 1749-1833), engraved by James Caldwell (English, 1739-1789), published in London, overall toning, sheet affixed to mat with unknown tape at upper edge, sheet: approx 23.5"h, 18.5"w, sight: approx 19"h, 14 1/8"w, overall: approx 28.5"h, 23.25"w, 7.75lbs **Note: one of two prints from "The Temple of Flora" offered in this auction**

    Austin Auction Gallery
  • Thornton, Folio - The Blue Passion Flower
    Jul. 11, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - The Blue Passion Flower

    Est: $3,000 - $6,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work "New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature". This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. "Temple of Flora" is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for "Temple of Flora". Thornton's "The Temple of Flora" is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - The American Cowslip
    Jul. 11, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - The American Cowslip

    Est: $2,000 - $4,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work "New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature". This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. "Temple of Flora" is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for "Temple of Flora". Thornton's "The Temple of Flora" is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - Tulips
    Jul. 04, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - Tulips

    Est: $4,000 - $8,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature. This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. Temple of Flora is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for Temple of Flora. Thornton's The Temple of Flora is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - Pitcher Plant (Carnivorous)
    Jul. 04, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - Pitcher Plant (Carnivorous)

    Est: $2,000 - $4,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature. This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. Temple of Flora is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for Temple of Flora. Thornton's The Temple of Flora is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - Roses with Birds, Nest & Eggs
    Jun. 27, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - Roses with Birds, Nest & Eggs

    Est: $4,000 - $6,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work "New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature". This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. "Temple of Flora" is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for "Temple of Flora". Thornton's "The Temple of Flora" is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - The Aloe
    Jun. 27, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - The Aloe

    Est: $2,000 - $4,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work "New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature". This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. "Temple of Flora" is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for "Temple of Flora". Thornton's "The Temple of Flora" is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - A Group of Auriculas
    Jun. 20, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - A Group of Auriculas

    Est: $2,000 - $4,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work "New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature". This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. "Temple of Flora" is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for "Temple of Flora". Thornton's "The Temple of Flora" is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - Cupid inspiring Plants with Love [And thou divine Linnaeus…]
    Jun. 20, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - Cupid inspiring Plants with Love [And thou divine Linnaeus…]

    Est: $2,000 - $4,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work "New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature". This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. "Temple of Flora" is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for "Temple of Flora". Thornton's "The Temple of Flora" is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - Linnaeus in his Lapland Dress from an orgiinal Picture in the Possession of Dr. Thornton
    Jun. 20, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - Linnaeus in his Lapland Dress from an orgiinal Picture in the Possession of Dr. Thornton

    Est: $2,000 - $4,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work "New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature". This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. "Temple of Flora" is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for "Temple of Flora". Thornton's "The Temple of Flora" is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Dr. Robert John Thornton, (2) botanical engravings
    Jun. 18, 2026

    Dr. Robert John Thornton, (2) botanical engravings

    Est: $1,500 - $2,500

    Dr. Robert John Thornton (British, 1768-1837), "Roses", 1805 and "Tulips", 1798, hand-colored aquatints with stipple engraving, from "The Temple of Flora", matted and framed under glass, 19.75"h x 15"w (sight), 32.25"h x 26.75"w (frames)

    Millea Bros Ltd
  • Thornton, Folio - A Group of Carnations
    Jun. 13, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - A Group of Carnations

    Est: $3,000 - $5,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work "New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature". This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. "Temple of Flora" is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for "Temple of Flora". Thornton's "The Temple of Flora" is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - Large Flowering Sensitive Plant with Hummingbirds
    Jun. 13, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - Large Flowering Sensitive Plant with Hummingbirds

    Est: $2,000 - $4,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work "New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature". This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. "Temple of Flora" is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for "Temple of Flora". Thornton's "The Temple of Flora" is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - Flora dispensing Her Favours on the Earth
    Jun. 13, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - Flora dispensing Her Favours on the Earth

    Est: $2,000 - $4,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work "New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature". This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. "Temple of Flora" is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for "Temple of Flora". Thornton's "The Temple of Flora" is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • (BOTANICAL.) Robert John Thornton. Group of 14 aquatint and engraved plates from the folio edition of The Temple of Flora. London, [1799]-1807
    Jun. 11, 2026

    (BOTANICAL.) Robert John Thornton. Group of 14 aquatint and engraved plates from the folio edition of The Temple of Flora. London, [1799]-1807

    Est: $2,000 - $3,000

    (BOTANICAL.) Robert John Thornton. Group of 14 aquatint and engraved plates from the folio edition of The Temple of Flora. London, [1799]-1807 Printed in colors and hand-finished; approximately 22x17 inches each, some larger, some trimmed shorter; sold with all faults including various tears, staining, soiling, and several mounted to stiff board, i.e., a nice group wanting restoration. - The Nodding Renealmia - The Blue Egyptian Water-Lily - The Snowdrop - The White Lily - [Cupid Inspiring Plants With Love] - Roses - The Aloe - The American Cowslip - The China Limodoron - The Queen - The Blue Passion Flower - The American Aloe - The Oblique-Leaved Begonia - The Pontic Rhododendron

    Swann Auction Galleries
  • (BOTANICAL.) Dr. Robert John Thornton. Tulips. London, 1812
    Jun. 11, 2026

    (BOTANICAL.) Dr. Robert John Thornton. Tulips. London, 1812

    Est: $400 - $600

    (BOTANICAL.) Dr. Robert John Thornton. Tulips London, 1812 Aquatint of tulip varieties set against a Dutch landscape. Printed in blue with colors hand-finished and touched with gum arabic. 12½x8¾ inches sheet size, ample margins; mat line, age toning. 

    Swann Auction Galleries
  • Thornton, Folio - The Night-Blowing Cereus (Cactus)
    Jun. 06, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - The Night-Blowing Cereus (Cactus)

    Est: $4,000 - $8,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work "New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature". This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. "Temple of Flora" is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for "Temple of Flora". Thornton's "The Temple of Flora" is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - The Superb Lily
    Jun. 06, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - The Superb Lily

    Est: $3,000 - $6,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work "New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature". This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. "Temple of Flora" is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for "Temple of Flora". Thornton's "The Temple of Flora" is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - Hyacinths
    May. 30, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - Hyacinths

    Est: $2,000 - $4,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature. This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. Temple of Flora is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for Temple of Flora. Thornton's The Temple of Flora is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - Indian Reed
    May. 30, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - Indian Reed

    Est: $1,500 - $2,500

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature. This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. Temple of Flora is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for Temple of Flora. Thornton's The Temple of Flora is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - The Sacred Egyptian Bean (Water Lily)
    May. 23, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - The Sacred Egyptian Bean (Water Lily)

    Est: $3,000 - $5,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature. This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. Temple of Flora is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for Temple of Flora. Thornton's The Temple of Flora is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - The Nodding Renealmia
    May. 23, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - The Nodding Renealmia

    Est: $3,000 - $5,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature. This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. Temple of Flora is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for Temple of Flora. Thornton's The Temple of Flora is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - The Queen Flower (Bird of Paradise Flower)
    May. 16, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - The Queen Flower (Bird of Paradise Flower)

    Est: $3,000 - $5,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature. This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. Temple of Flora is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for Temple of Flora. Thornton's The Temple of Flora is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - The Blue Egyptian Water Lily
    May. 16, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - The Blue Egyptian Water Lily

    Est: $3,000 - $5,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature. This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. Temple of Flora is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for Temple of Flora. Thornton's The Temple of Flora is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - The White Lily
    May. 09, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - The White Lily

    Est: $3,000 - $5,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature. This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. Temple of Flora is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for Temple of Flora. Thornton's The Temple of Flora is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - The Quadrangular Passion-Flower
    May. 09, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - The Quadrangular Passion-Flower

    Est: $2,000 - $4,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature. This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. Temple of Flora is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for Temple of Flora. Thornton's The Temple of Flora is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • DR. ROBERT THORNTON'S AQUATINTS FROM HIS TEMPLE OF FLORA - THE NARROW-LEAVED KALMIA
    May. 02, 2026

    DR. ROBERT THORNTON'S AQUATINTS FROM HIS TEMPLE OF FLORA - THE NARROW-LEAVED KALMIA

    Est: $2,500 - $3,500

    THORNTON, Dr. Robert John (1768-1837). The Narrow-leaved Kalmia. Aquatint, mezzotint, and stipple engraving, finished by hand with color. From the Temple of Flora - London, 1799-1807. 20 1/8" x 16 3/4" sheet. Dr. Robert Thornton (ca.1765-1832) inherited the family fortune in 1797, he left his medical practice to indulge his lifelong passion for botany. The finest botanical books had heretofore been published on the Continent. Thornton, determined to surpass the Germans in scholarship and the French in printing artistry, planned a book of philosophic and literary distinction, illustrated by some of the best painters working in Britain. In homage to the great Swedish naturalist, it was titled The Temple of Flora; or Garden of Nature: Picturesque Botanical Plates of the New Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus. The first sections appeared in 1799; the edition was completed in 1807.The title notwithstanding, few of the plates are of scientific interest. It is the forceful stylization of flowers, together with their historical, allegorical and/or fanciful backgrounds (prescribed by Thornton) that place The Temple of Flora among the greatest botanical books of all time. Dr. Thornton, who gave his life and his fortune to this work, created one of England's monuments to Romantic idealism.

    Arader Galleries
  • DR. ROBERT THORNTON'S AQUATINTS FROM HIS TEMPLE OF FLORA - THE CHINA LIMODORAN [STATE I]
    May. 02, 2026

    DR. ROBERT THORNTON'S AQUATINTS FROM HIS TEMPLE OF FLORA - THE CHINA LIMODORAN [STATE I]

    Est: $2,000 - $4,000

    THORNTON, Dr. Robert John (1768-1837). The China Limodoran [State I]. Aquatint, mezzotint, and stipple engraving, finished by hand with color. From the Temple of Flora - London, 1799-1807. 20" x 16" sheet. Dr. Robert Thornton (ca.1765-1832) inherited the family fortune in 1797, he left his medical practice to indulge his lifelong passion for botany. The finest botanical books had heretofore been published on the Continent. Thornton, determined to surpass the Germans in scholarship and the French in printing artistry, planned a book of philosophic and literary distinction, illustrated by some of the best painters working in Britain. In homage to the great Swedish naturalist, it was titled The Temple of Flora; or Garden of Nature: Picturesque Botanical Plates of the New Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus. The first sections appeared in 1799; the edition was completed in 1807.The title notwithstanding, few of the plates are of scientific interest. It is the forceful stylization of flowers, together with their historical, allegorical and/or fanciful backgrounds (prescribed by Thornton) that place The Temple of Flora among the greatest botanical books of all time. Dr. Thornton, who gave his life and his fortune to this work, created one of England's monuments to Romantic idealism.

    Arader Galleries
  • DR. ROBERT THORNTON'S AQUATINTS FROM HIS TEMPLE OF FLORA - THE SNOWDROP [STATE II]
    May. 02, 2026

    DR. ROBERT THORNTON'S AQUATINTS FROM HIS TEMPLE OF FLORA - THE SNOWDROP [STATE II]

    Est: $3,000 - $5,000

    THORNTON, Dr. Robert John (1768-1837). The Snowdrop [State II]. Aquatint, mezzotint, and stipple engraving, finished by hand with color. From the Temple of Flora - London, 1799-1807. 23 3/8" x 18 1/4" sheet. Dr. Robert Thornton (ca.1765-1832) inherited the family fortune in 1797, he left his medical practice to indulge his lifelong passion for botany. The finest botanical books had heretofore been published on the Continent. Thornton, determined to surpass the Germans in scholarship and the French in printing artistry, planned a book of philosophic and literary distinction, illustrated by some of the best painters working in Britain. In homage to the great Swedish naturalist, it was titled The Temple of Flora; or Garden of Nature: Picturesque Botanical Plates of the New Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus. The first sections appeared in 1799; the edition was completed in 1807.The title notwithstanding, few of the plates are of scientific interest. It is the forceful stylization of flowers, together with their historical, allegorical and/or fanciful backgrounds (prescribed by Thornton) that place The Temple of Flora among the greatest botanical books of all time. Dr. Thornton, who gave his life and his fortune to this work, created one of England's monuments to Romantic idealism.

    Arader Galleries
  • DR. ROBERT THORNTON'S AQUATINTS FROM HIS TEMPLE OF FLORA - THE QUEEN FLOWER
    May. 02, 2026

    DR. ROBERT THORNTON'S AQUATINTS FROM HIS TEMPLE OF FLORA - THE QUEEN FLOWER

    Est: $2,500 - $4,500

    THORNTON, Dr. Robert John (1768-1837). The Queen Flower. Aquatint, mezzotint, and stipple engraving, finished by hand with color. From the Temple of Flora - London, 1799-1807. 21 7/8" x 16 7/8" sheet. Dr. Robert Thornton (ca.1765-1832) inherited the family fortune in 1797, he left his medical practice to indulge his lifelong passion for botany. The finest botanical books had heretofore been published on the Continent. Thornton, determined to surpass the Germans in scholarship and the French in printing artistry, planned a book of philosophic and literary distinction, illustrated by some of the best painters working in Britain. In homage to the great Swedish naturalist, it was titled The Temple of Flora; or Garden of Nature: Picturesque Botanical Plates of the New Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus. The first sections appeared in 1799; the edition was completed in 1807.The title notwithstanding, few of the plates are of scientific interest. It is the forceful stylization of flowers, together with their historical, allegorical and/or fanciful backgrounds (prescribed by Thornton) that place The Temple of Flora among the greatest botanical books of all time. Dr. Thornton, who gave his life and his fortune to this work, created one of England's monuments to Romantic idealism.

    Arader Galleries
  • DR. ROBERT THORNTON'S AQUATINTS FROM HIS TEMPLE OF FLORA - THE WHITE LILY
    May. 02, 2026

    DR. ROBERT THORNTON'S AQUATINTS FROM HIS TEMPLE OF FLORA - THE WHITE LILY

    Est: $3,000 - $4,000

    THORNTON, Dr. Robert John (1768-1837). The White Lily. Aquatint, mezzotint, and stipple engraving, finished by hand with color. From the Temple of Flora - London, 1799-1807. 21 3/4" x 16 7/8" sheet. Dr. Robert Thornton (ca.1765-1832) inherited the family fortune in 1797, he left his medical practice to indulge his lifelong passion for botany. The finest botanical books had heretofore been published on the Continent. Thornton, determined to surpass the Germans in scholarship and the French in printing artistry, planned a book of philosophic and literary distinction, illustrated by some of the best painters working in Britain. In homage to the great Swedish naturalist, it was titled The Temple of Flora; or Garden of Nature: Picturesque Botanical Plates of the New Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus. The first sections appeared in 1799; the edition was completed in 1807.The title notwithstanding, few of the plates are of scientific interest. It is the forceful stylization of flowers, together with their historical, allegorical and/or fanciful backgrounds (prescribed by Thornton) that place The Temple of Flora among the greatest botanical books of all time. Dr. Thornton, who gave his life and his fortune to this work, created one of England's monuments to Romantic idealism.

    Arader Galleries
  • DR. ROBERT THORNTON'S AQUATINTS FROM HIS TEMPLE OF FLORA - HYACINTHS
    May. 02, 2026

    DR. ROBERT THORNTON'S AQUATINTS FROM HIS TEMPLE OF FLORA - HYACINTHS

    Est: $2,500 - $4,500

    THORNTON, Dr. Robert John (1768-1837). Hyacinths. Aquatint, mezzotint, and stipple engraving, finished by hand with color. From the Temple of Flora - London, 1799-1807. 22 1/2" x 18 1/4" sheet. Dr. Robert Thornton (ca.1765-1832) inherited the family fortune in 1797, he left his medical practice to indulge his lifelong passion for botany. The finest botanical books had heretofore been published on the Continent. Thornton, determined to surpass the Germans in scholarship and the French in printing artistry, planned a book of philosophic and literary distinction, illustrated by some of the best painters working in Britain. In homage to the great Swedish naturalist, it was titled The Temple of Flora; or Garden of Nature: Picturesque Botanical Plates of the New Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus. The first sections appeared in 1799; the edition was completed in 1807.The title notwithstanding, few of the plates are of scientific interest. It is the forceful stylization of flowers, together with their historical, allegorical and/or fanciful backgrounds (prescribed by Thornton) that place The Temple of Flora among the greatest botanical books of all time. Dr. Thornton, who gave his life and his fortune to this work, created one of England's monuments to Romantic idealism.

    Arader Galleries
  • DR. ROBERT THORNTON'S AQUATINTS FROM HIS TEMPLE OF FLORA - A GROUP OF CARNATIONS [STATE III]
    May. 02, 2026

    DR. ROBERT THORNTON'S AQUATINTS FROM HIS TEMPLE OF FLORA - A GROUP OF CARNATIONS [STATE III]

    Est: $8,000 - $12,000

    THORNTON, Dr. Robert John (1768-1837). A Group of Carnations [State III]. Aquatint, mezzotint, and stipple engraving, finished by hand with color. From the Temple of Flora - London, 1799-1807. 21 1/2" x 17 7/8" sheet. Dr. Robert Thornton (ca.1765-1832) inherited the family fortune in 1797, he left his medical practice to indulge his lifelong passion for botany. The finest botanical books had heretofore been published on the Continent. Thornton, determined to surpass the Germans in scholarship and the French in printing artistry, planned a book of philosophic and literary distinction, illustrated by some of the best painters working in Britain. In homage to the great Swedish naturalist, it was titled The Temple of Flora; or Garden of Nature: Picturesque Botanical Plates of the New Illustration of the Sexual System of Linnaeus. The first sections appeared in 1799; the edition was completed in 1807.The title notwithstanding, few of the plates are of scientific interest. It is the forceful stylization of flowers, together with their historical, allegorical and/or fanciful backgrounds (prescribed by Thornton) that place The Temple of Flora among the greatest botanical books of all time. Dr. Thornton, who gave his life and his fortune to this work, created one of England's monuments to Romantic idealism.

    Arader Galleries
  • Thornton, Folio - The Winged Passion-Flower
    May. 02, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - The Winged Passion-Flower

    Est: $2,000 - $4,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature. This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. Temple of Flora is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for Temple of Flora. Thornton's The Temple of Flora is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Thornton, Folio - The Snowdrop
    May. 02, 2026

    Thornton, Folio - The Snowdrop

    Est: $1,000 - $2,000

    This dramatic large folio botanical engraving is from Dr. Robert John Thornton’s work New Illustration of the Sexual System of Carolus Von Linnaeus...and the Temple of Flora, or Garden of Nature. This was the first edition of the work published in London by between 1787 and 1812. Each engraving was made using stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes and some feature hand-coloring heightened with gum Arabic. The engraving will include the text when available to send with the plate. Thornton’s engravings featured an uncommon composition in which the subject was seen oversized in relation to the background giving the plates a theatrical presence. Temple of Flora is often considered the greatest achievement in British botanical art. Thornton employed some of the foremost artists to create the plates included Peter Charles Henderson, Philip Reinagle, Abraham Pether, and Sydenham Edwards. Richard Earlom, James Caldwall, Thomas Sutherland, and Joseph Constantine Stadler were the engravers for Temple of Flora. Thornton's The Temple of Flora is the greatest English colour-plate flower book. "...[Thornton] inherited a competent fortune and trained as a doctor. He appears to have had considerable success in practice and was appointed both physician to the Marylebone Dispensary and lecturer in medical botany at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals. But quite early in his career he embarked on his...great work. What Redouté produced under the patronage of L'Héritier, Marie Antoinette, the Empress Josephine, Charles X, and the Duchesse de Berry, Thornton set out to do alone...Numerous important artists were engaged...twenty-eight paintings of flowers commissioned from Abraham Pether, known as `Moonlight Pether,' Philip Reinagle, ...Sydenham Edwards, and Peter Henderson...The result...involved Thornton in desperate financial straits...In an attempt to extricate himself he organized the Royal Botanic Lottery, under the patronage of the Prince Regent...It is easy to raise one's eyebrows at Thornton's unworldly and injudicious approach to publishing...But he produced...one of the loveliest books in the world." (Alan Thomas, Great Books and Book Collecting, pp.142-144)

    Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
  • Dr. Robert John Thornton, British (1768-1837), The Blue Egyptian Water Lily, The Queen Flower, The Dragon Arum, and The Quadrangular Passion Flower, four hand-colored engravings
    Apr. 25, 2026

    Dr. Robert John Thornton, British (1768-1837), The Blue Egyptian Water Lily, The Queen Flower, The Dragon Arum, and The Quadrangular Passion Flower, four hand-colored engravings

    Est: $300 - $500

    Dr. Robert John Thornton British, (1768-1837) The Blue Egyptian Water Lily, The Queen Flower, The Dragon Arum, and The Quadrangular Passion Flower four hand-colored engravings published by Thornton, London, 1812 contained in one frame.

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