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 - American Cowslip
    Apr. 12, 2025

    Thornton - American Cowslip

    Est: $600 - $1,200

    This strong quarto botanical plate is from Dr. Robert Thornton’s The Temple of Flora. The plate was published by Thornton as part of the 1812 Lottery edition. The Temple of Flora, both the folio and Lottery editions, are considered to be one of the most extraordinary botanical works. The publishing of the folio edition of this work bankrupted Dr. Thornton, and thus led him to creating the Great Botanical Lottery and the plates from the edition seen here. The Lottery was unfortunately not a success and Thornton could not continue further publication of the work. Though the work did not have financial success in its time, it remains one of the greatest botanical works ever published. Each plate was created using several printing processes including mezzotint, aquatint, engraving, etching, and stipple. The plates were printed in color and then finished by hand at the time of printing. 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
  • (2) Dr. Thornton Engravings
    Apr. 12, 2025

    (2) Dr. Thornton Engravings

    Est: $200 - $300

    19th century. Hand-colored engravings. Peter Henderson (British, 1790-1828) illustrator. Robert John Thornton (British, 1768-1837) Publisher. A) "The Queen". R. Cooper engraver. Dated 1804. Unframed. Sight size: 22 1/2" high x 18" wide. Shows tanning and heavier foxing on mat. Otherwise good condition. B) "The Quadrangular Pasion Flower". Hopewood engraver. Dated 1802. Unframed. Sight size: 23" long x 17 1/2" wide. Shows chipping and loss to upper margin plus staining and foxing primarily on the mat.

    Marion Antique Auctions
  • Robert John Thornton Botanical Print, "The Winged Passion Flower"
    Apr. 11, 2025

    Robert John Thornton Botanical Print, "The Winged Passion Flower"

    Est: $100 - $200

    Robert John Thornton, Publisher (British 1768-1873)  Botanical Print, "The Winged Passion Flower, " aquatint and stipple engraving, hand colored, printed by Stadler after Henderson, matted and framed. Dimensions: 9.5 x 7 in, image size, 19.5 x 15.5 in. as framed. Condition: Paper toned. Not examined out of frame.

    Neue Auctions
  • Dr. Robert John Thornton Aquarint from the Temple of Flora - The Quadrangular Passion-flower.
    Apr. 05, 2025

    Dr. Robert John Thornton Aquarint from the Temple of Flora - The Quadrangular Passion-flower.

    Est: $2,500 - $3,500

    THORNTON, Dr. Robert John (English, 1768-1837). The Quadrangular Passion-flower. Aquatint, mezzotint, stipple and line engraving, printed in color and finished by hand. From The Temple of Flora. London: 1799-1807. 23 1/8” x 18” 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 John Thornton Aquarint from the Temple of Flora - The Snowdrop.
    Apr. 05, 2025

    Dr. Robert John Thornton Aquarint from the Temple of Flora - The Snowdrop.

    Est: $2,500 - $3,500

    THORNTON, Dr. Robert John (English, 1768-1837). The Snowdrop. Aquatint, mezzotint, stipple and line engraving, printed in color and finished by hand. From The Temple of Flora. London: 1799-1807. 23 1/4” x 18 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 John Thornton Aquarint from the Temple of Flora - The Oblique-leaved Begonia
    Apr. 05, 2025

    Dr. Robert John Thornton Aquarint from the Temple of Flora - The Oblique-leaved Begonia

    Est: $2,500 - $3,500

    THORNTON, Dr. Robert John (English, 1768-1837). The Oblique-leaved Begonia. Aquatint, mezzotint, stipple and line engraving, printed in color and finished by hand. From The Temple of Flora. London: 1799-1807. 20 3/4" x 16" visible, 30 1/2" x 26" framed. 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 (Robert John, 1768-1837). The Superb Lily, June 1st. 1799
    Mar. 05, 2025

    Thornton (Robert John, 1768-1837). The Superb Lily, June 1st. 1799

    Est: £200 - £300

    Thornton (Robert John, 1768-1837). The Superb Lily, June 1st. 1799 * Thornton (Robert John, 1768-1837). The Superb Lily, June 1st. 1799, mezzotint by William Ward after Reinagle, printed in colours and finished by hand, large margins, 475 x 355 mm, mounted, framed and glazed QTY: (1) NOTE: Dunthorne. Number 301. Plate II, the 'Ward Plate', state 2. The Ward plate is scarce and was apparently not used after it became worn.

    Dominic Winter Auctions
  • Thornton (Robert John, 1768-1837). A Group of Carnations, April 2nd 1803
    Mar. 05, 2025

    Thornton (Robert John, 1768-1837). A Group of Carnations, April 2nd 1803

    Est: £300 - £500

    Thornton (Robert John, 1768-1837). A Group of Carnations, April 2nd 1803 * Thornton (Robert John, 1768-1837). A Group of Carnations, April 2nd 1803, aquatint, stipple and line engraving by James Caldwell after Peter Henderson, printed in colour and finished by hand, 505 x 380 mm, mounted, framed and glazed QTY: (1) NOTE: Gordon Dunthorne, Flower and Fruit Prints, 301, state III.

    Dominic Winter Auctions
  • ROBERT JOHN THORNTON TEMPLE OF FLORA PLATES
    Feb. 13, 2025

    ROBERT JOHN THORNTON TEMPLE OF FLORA PLATES

    Est: $50 - $10,000

    Print date 2008. Complete with 32 plates and booklet of essays. Dimensions: L 22" x W 17.75" x D 1.5" Condition: Minor creases to folders. Presents well overall.

    Westport Auction
  • "Cupid Inspiring Plants with Love", Dr. Robert John Thornton after Reinagle
    Feb. 05, 2025

    "Cupid Inspiring Plants with Love", Dr. Robert John Thornton after Reinagle

    Est: $300 - $500

    "And Thou Divine Linnaeus! (Cupid Inspiring Plants with Love)" Dr. Robert John Thornton (British, 1768-1837) after Philipp Reinagle (British, 1749-1833), hand-colored stipple engraving. Hinge-mounted, matted and framed under frosted glass.

    South Bay Auctions Inc
  • Thornton Temple of Flora Aquatint, A Group of Carnations
    Feb. 01, 2025

    Thornton Temple of Flora Aquatint, A Group of Carnations

    Est: $5,000 - $8,000

    THORNTON, Dr. Robert John (English, 1768-1837). A Group of Carnations. Aquatint, mezzotint, stipple and line engraving, printed in color and finished by hand. From The Temple of Flora. London: 1799-1807. 20 1/2" x 16" visible, 32 1/2" x 27 3/4" framed. 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 Temple of Flora Aquatint, The Blue Passion Flower
    Feb. 01, 2025

    Thornton Temple of Flora Aquatint, The Blue Passion Flower

    Est: $2,500 - $4,500

    THORNTON, Dr. Robert John (English, 1768-1837). The Blue Passion Flower. Aquatint, mezzotint, stipple and line engraving, printed in color and finished by hand. From The Temple of Flora. London: 1799-1807. 20 1/2" x 15 1/2" visible, 31" x 25 1/2" framed. 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 - Group of Carnations
    Feb. 01, 2025

    Thornton - Group of Carnations

    Est: $600 - $1,200

    This strong quarto botanical plate is from Dr. Robert Thornton’s The Temple of Flora. The plate was published by Thornton as part of the 1812 Lottery edition. The Temple of Flora, both the folio and Lottery editions, are considered to be one of the most extraordinary botanical works. The publishing of the folio edition of this work bankrupted Dr. Thornton, and thus led him to creating the Great Botanical Lottery and the plates from the edition seen here. The Lottery was unfortunately not a success and Thornton could not continue further publication of the work. Though the work did not have financial success in its time, it remains one of the greatest botanical works ever published. Each plate was created using several printing processes including mezzotint, aquatint, engraving, etching, and stipple. The plates were printed in color and then finished by hand at the time of printing. 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 - The Blue Passion Flower
    Feb. 01, 2025

    Thornton - The Blue Passion Flower

    Est: $600 - $1,200

    This strong quarto botanical plate is from Dr. Robert Thornton’s The Temple of Flora. The plate was published by Thornton as part of the 1812 Lottery edition. The Temple of Flora, both the folio and Lottery editions, are considered to be one of the most extraordinary botanical works. The publishing of the folio edition of this work bankrupted Dr. Thornton, and thus led him to creating the Great Botanical Lottery and the plates from the edition seen here. The Lottery was unfortunately not a success and Thornton could not continue further publication of the work. Though the work did not have financial success in its time, it remains one of the greatest botanical works ever published. Each plate was created using several printing processes including mezzotint, aquatint, engraving, etching, and stipple. The plates were printed in color and then finished by hand at the time of printing. 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 - American Cowslip
    Feb. 01, 2025

    Thornton - American Cowslip

    Est: $600 - $1,200

    This strong quarto botanical plate is from Dr. Robert Thornton’s The Temple of Flora. The plate was published by Thornton as part of the 1812 Lottery edition. The Temple of Flora, both the folio and Lottery editions, are considered to be one of the most extraordinary botanical works. The publishing of the folio edition of this work bankrupted Dr. Thornton, and thus led him to creating the Great Botanical Lottery and the plates from the edition seen here. The Lottery was unfortunately not a success and Thornton could not continue further publication of the work. Though the work did not have financial success in its time, it remains one of the greatest botanical works ever published. Each plate was created using several printing processes including mezzotint, aquatint, engraving, etching, and stipple. The plates were printed in color and then finished by hand at the time of printing. 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 - Tankerville's Limodorum
    Feb. 01, 2025

    Thornton - Tankerville's Limodorum

    Est: $600 - $1,200

    This strong quarto botanical plate is from Dr. Robert Thornton’s The Temple of Flora. The plate was published by Thornton as part of the 1812 Lottery edition. The Temple of Flora, both the folio and Lottery editions, are considered to be one of the most extraordinary botanical works. The publishing of the folio edition of this work bankrupted Dr. Thornton, and thus led him to creating the Great Botanical Lottery and the plates from the edition seen here. The Lottery was unfortunately not a success and Thornton could not continue further publication of the work. Though the work did not have financial success in its time, it remains one of the greatest botanical works ever published. Each plate was created using several printing processes including mezzotint, aquatint, engraving, etching, and stipple. The plates were printed in color and then finished by hand at the time of printing. 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 Botanical Print, "The Winged Passion Flower"
    Jan. 31, 2025

    Robert John Thornton Botanical Print, "The Winged Passion Flower"

    Est: $100 - $200

    Robert John Thornton, Publisher (British 1768-1873)  Botanical Print, "The Winged Passion Flower, " aquatint and stipple engraving, hand colored, printed by Stadler after Henderson, matted and framed. Dimensions: 9.5 x 7 in, image size, 19.5 x 15.5 in. as framed. Condition: Paper toned. Not examined out of frame.

    Neue Auctions
  • Thornton - Group of Auriculas
    Jan. 25, 2025

    Thornton - Group of Auriculas

    Est: $600 - $1,200

    This strong quarto botanical plate is from Dr. Robert Thornton’s The Temple of Flora. The plate was published by Thornton as part of the 1812 Lottery edition. The Temple of Flora, both the folio and Lottery editions, are considered to be one of the most extraordinary botanical works. The publishing of the folio edition of this work bankrupted Dr. Thornton, and thus led him to creating the Great Botanical Lottery and the plates from the edition seen here. The Lottery was unfortunately not a success and Thornton could not continue further publication of the work. Though the work did not have financial success in its time, it remains one of the greatest botanical works ever published. Each plate was created using several printing processes including mezzotint, aquatint, engraving, etching, and stipple. The plates were printed in color and then finished by hand at the time of printing. 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 - The Narrow-leaved Kalmia
    Jan. 25, 2025

    Thornton - The Narrow-leaved Kalmia

    Est: $600 - $1,200

    This strong quarto botanical plate is from Dr. Robert Thornton’s The Temple of Flora. The plate was published by Thornton as part of the 1812 Lottery edition. The Temple of Flora, both the folio and Lottery editions, are considered to be one of the most extraordinary botanical works. The publishing of the folio edition of this work bankrupted Dr. Thornton, and thus led him to creating the Great Botanical Lottery and the plates from the edition seen here. The Lottery was unfortunately not a success and Thornton could not continue further publication of the work. Though the work did not have financial success in its time, it remains one of the greatest botanical works ever published. Each plate was created using several printing processes including mezzotint, aquatint, engraving, etching, and stipple. The plates were printed in color and then finished by hand at the time of printing. 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 - The Indian Reed
    Jan. 25, 2025

    Thornton - The Indian Reed

    Est: $600 - $1,200

    This strong quarto botanical plate is from Dr. Robert Thornton’s The Temple of Flora. The plate was published by Thornton as part of the 1812 Lottery edition. The Temple of Flora, both the folio and Lottery editions, are considered to be one of the most extraordinary botanical works. The publishing of the folio edition of this work bankrupted Dr. Thornton, and thus led him to creating the Great Botanical Lottery and the plates from the edition seen here. The Lottery was unfortunately not a success and Thornton could not continue further publication of the work. Though the work did not have financial success in its time, it remains one of the greatest botanical works ever published. Each plate was created using several printing processes including mezzotint, aquatint, engraving, etching, and stipple. The plates were printed in color and then finished by hand at the time of printing. 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 - Agave or American Aloe
    Jan. 25, 2025

    Thornton - Agave or American Aloe

    Est: $600 - $1,200

    This strong quarto botanical plate is from Dr. Robert Thornton’s The Temple of Flora. The plate was published by Thornton as part of the 1812 Lottery edition. The Temple of Flora, both the folio and Lottery editions, are considered to be one of the most extraordinary botanical works. The publishing of the folio edition of this work bankrupted Dr. Thornton, and thus led him to creating the Great Botanical Lottery and the plates from the edition seen here. The Lottery was unfortunately not a success and Thornton could not continue further publication of the work. Though the work did not have financial success in its time, it remains one of the greatest botanical works ever published. Each plate was created using several printing processes including mezzotint, aquatint, engraving, etching, and stipple. The plates were printed in color and then finished by hand at the time of printing. 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 - The Pontic Rhododendron
    Jan. 18, 2025

    Thornton - The Pontic Rhododendron

    Est: $600 - $1,200

    This strong quarto botanical plate is from Dr. Robert Thornton’s The Temple of Flora. The plate was published by Thornton as part of the 1812 Lottery edition. The Temple of Flora, both the folio and Lottery editions, are considered to be one of the most extraordinary botanical works. The publishing of the folio edition of this work bankrupted Dr. Thornton, and thus led him to creating the Great Botanical Lottery and the plates from the edition seen here. The Lottery was unfortunately not a success and Thornton could not continue further publication of the work. Though the work did not have financial success in its time, it remains one of the greatest botanical works ever published. Each plate was created using several printing processes including mezzotint, aquatint, engraving, etching, and stipple. The plates were printed in color and then finished by hand at the time of printing. 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 - The Sacred Egyptian Bean or Water Lily
    Jan. 18, 2025

    Thornton - The Sacred Egyptian Bean or Water Lily

    Est: $600 - $1,200

    This strong quarto botanical plate is from Dr. Robert Thornton’s The Temple of Flora. The plate was published by Thornton as part of the 1812 Lottery edition. The Temple of Flora, both the folio and Lottery editions, are considered to be one of the most extraordinary botanical works. The publishing of the folio edition of this work bankrupted Dr. Thornton, and thus led him to creating the Great Botanical Lottery and the plates from the edition seen here. The Lottery was unfortunately not a success and Thornton could not continue further publication of the work. Though the work did not have financial success in its time, it remains one of the greatest botanical works ever published. Each plate was created using several printing processes including mezzotint, aquatint, engraving, etching, and stipple. The plates were printed in color and then finished by hand at the time of printing. 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 - Large Flowering Sensitive Plant with Hummingbirds
    Jan. 11, 2025

    Thornton - Large Flowering Sensitive Plant with Hummingbirds

    Est: $600 - $1,200

    This strong quarto botanical plate is from Dr. Robert Thornton’s The Temple of Flora. The plate was published by Thornton as part of the 1812 Lottery edition. The Temple of Flora, both the folio and Lottery editions, are considered to be one of the most extraordinary botanical works. The publishing of the folio edition of this work bankrupted Dr. Thornton, and thus led him to creating the Great Botanical Lottery and the plates from the edition seen here. The Lottery was unfortunately not a success and Thornton could not continue further publication of the work. Though the work did not have financial success in its time, it remains one of the greatest botanical works ever published. Each plate was created using several printing processes including mezzotint, aquatint, engraving, etching, and stipple. The plates were printed in color and then finished by hand at the time of printing. 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 - Curious American Bog Plants (Carnivorous Plants)
    Jan. 11, 2025

    Thornton - Curious American Bog Plants (Carnivorous Plants)

    Est: $1,500 - $2,000

    This strong quarto botanical plate is from Dr. Robert Thornton’s The Temple of Flora. The plate was published by Thornton as part of the 1812 Lottery edition. The Temple of Flora, both the folio and Lottery editions, are considered to be one of the most extraordinary botanical works. The publishing of the folio edition of this work bankrupted Dr. Thornton, and thus led him to creating the Great Botanical Lottery and the plates from the edition seen here. The Lottery was unfortunately not a success and Thornton could not continue further publication of the work. Though the work did not have financial success in its time, it remains one of the greatest botanical works ever published. Each plate was created using several printing processes including mezzotint, aquatint, engraving, etching, and stipple. The plates were printed in color and then finished by hand at the time of printing. 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 - The Oblique-leaved Begonia
    Jan. 04, 2025

    Thornton - The Oblique-leaved Begonia

    Est: $600 - $1,200

    This strong quarto botanical plate is from Dr. Robert Thornton’s The Temple of Flora. The plate was published by Thornton as part of the 1812 Lottery edition. The Temple of Flora, both the folio and Lottery editions, are considered to be one of the most extraordinary botanical works. The publishing of the folio edition of this work bankrupted Dr. Thornton, and thus led him to creating the Great Botanical Lottery and the plates from the edition seen here. The Lottery was unfortunately not a success and Thornton could not continue further publication of the work. Though the work did not have financial success in its time, it remains one of the greatest botanical works ever published. Each plate was created using several printing processes including mezzotint, aquatint, engraving, etching, and stipple. The plates were printed in color and then finished by hand at the time of printing. 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 - The Snowdrop
    Jan. 04, 2025

    Thornton - The Snowdrop

    Est: $600 - $1,200

    This strong quarto botanical plate is from Dr. Robert Thornton’s The Temple of Flora. The plate was published by Thornton as part of the 1812 Lottery edition. The Temple of Flora, both the folio and Lottery editions, are considered to be one of the most extraordinary botanical works. The publishing of the folio edition of this work bankrupted Dr. Thornton, and thus led him to creating the Great Botanical Lottery and the plates from the edition seen here. The Lottery was unfortunately not a success and Thornton could not continue further publication of the work. Though the work did not have financial success in its time, it remains one of the greatest botanical works ever published. Each plate was created using several printing processes including mezzotint, aquatint, engraving, etching, and stipple. The plates were printed in color and then finished by hand at the time of printing. 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 Night Blowing Cereus (Night-blooming Cactus)
    Dec. 28, 2024

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

    Est: $6,000 - $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 - Roses with Birds, Nest & Eggs, and Dragonfly
    Dec. 21, 2024

    Thornton, Folio - Roses with Birds, Nest & Eggs, and Dragonfly

    Est: $6,000 - $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
  • (BOTANICAL.) Robert John Thornton. Group of 3 engraved plates from various editions of the Temple of Flora.
    Dec. 10, 2024

    (BOTANICAL.) Robert John Thornton. Group of 3 engraved plates from various editions of the Temple of Flora.

    Est: $800 - $1,200

    (BOTANICAL.) Robert John Thornton. Group of 3 engraved plates from various editions of the Temple of Flora. A Group of Carnations. Folio, 22½x17 inches sheet size, "H. Smith" watermark; mat line. * The Narrow-leaved Kalmia. Folio, 21x14¾ inches sheet size; small edge repairs. * Cupid Inspiring Plants with Love. Quarto, 15x11½ inches sheet size, binding edge at right. London, circa 1810-1812

    Swann Auction Galleries
  • Thornton, Folio - The Sacred Egyptian Bean or Water Lily
    Dec. 07, 2024

    Thornton, Folio - The Sacred Egyptian Bean or 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 Blue Passion Flower
    Dec. 07, 2024

    Thornton, Folio - The Blue Passion 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
  • RIDLEY (19th), Dr Robert John Thornton, around 1803, Etching
    Dec. 07, 2024

    RIDLEY (19th), Dr Robert John Thornton, around 1803, Etching

    Est: €60 - €100

    Ridley (19th century): Portrait of Dr Robert John Thornton, c. 1803, Etching Technique: Etching on Paper Inscription: Titled above: "European Magazine". Signed and titled at the bottom: "Robert John Thornton, MD." Date: c. 1803 Keywords: 19th century, Romanticism, Portraits, United Kingdom, Size: Paper: 21,3 cm x 12,6 cm (8,4 x 5 in), Depiction: 9,6 cm x 7,8 cm (3,8 x 3,1 in)

    Fichter Kunsthandel
  • ROBERT JOHN THORNTON THE WINGED PASSION FLOWER BOTANICAL ENGRAVING
    Dec. 01, 2024

    ROBERT JOHN THORNTON THE WINGED PASSION FLOWER BOTANICAL ENGRAVING

    Est: $500 - $1,000

    Publisher: Dr. Robert John Thornton (UK, 1768-1873) Artist: Peter Charles Henderson (British, 1791-1829) Title: The Winged Passion Flower Date: 1802 / From the Temple of Flora series published by Robert John Thornton. Dr. Thornton collaborated with a group of artists to create one of the United Kingdom's most revered works of Botanical Art. Each engraving was made using the stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes, some featuring hand-coloring. / Set under glass in gilt wood frame / Visible Art Size: 20"H x 14.5"W / Frame Size: 28.5"H x 23.5"W / Provenance: From the descendants of Lollie Oliver, Pittsburgh, PA

    Dargate Auction Galleries
  • ROBERT JOHN THORNTON THE QUEEN BOTANICAL ENGRAVING
    Dec. 01, 2024

    ROBERT JOHN THORNTON THE QUEEN BOTANICAL ENGRAVING

    Est: $500 - $1,000

    Publisher: Dr. Robert John Thornton (UK, 1768-1873) Artist: Peter Charles Henderson (British, 1791-1829) Title: The Queen (Bird of Paradise Flower) Date: 1804 / From the Temple of Flora series published by Robert John Thornton. Dr. Thornton collaborated with a group of artists to create one of the United Kingdom's most revered works of Botanical Art. Each engraving was made using the stipple, mezzotint, and aquatint processes, some featuring hand-coloring. / Set under glass in gilt wood frame / Visible Art Size: 20"H x 14.5"W / Frame Size: 28.5"H x 23.5"W / Provenance: From the descendants of Lollie Oliver, Pittsburgh, PA

    Dargate Auction Galleries
  • Thornton, Folio - The Superb Lily
    Nov. 30, 2024

    Thornton, Folio - The Superb Lily

    Est: $6,000 - $10,000

    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 China Limodoron
    Nov. 30, 2024

    Thornton, Folio - The China Limodoron

    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 American Cowslip
    Nov. 23, 2024

    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 - The Narrow-leaved Kalmia
    Nov. 23, 2024

    Thornton, Folio - The Narrow-leaved Kalmia

    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 - Carnivorous - American Bog Plants (Fetid Pothos, Pitcher Plant, Venus's Fly Trap
    Nov. 16, 2024

    Thornton, Folio - Carnivorous - American Bog Plants (Fetid Pothos, Pitcher Plant, Venus's Fly Trap

    Est: $5,000 - $7,000

    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
    Nov. 16, 2024

    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
  • Thornton, Folio - The Dragon Arum
    Nov. 09, 2024

    Thornton, Folio - The Dragon Arum

    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 Persian Cyclamen
    Nov. 09, 2024

    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 - Maggot-bearing Stapelia or Carrion Flower
    Nov. 02, 2024

    Thornton, Folio - Maggot-bearing Stapelia or 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
  • Thornton, Folio - The Oblique-leaved Begonia
    Nov. 02, 2024

    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 Queen Flower or Bird of Paradise Flower
    Oct. 26, 2024

    Thornton, Folio - The Queen Flower or 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 - Cupid inspiring plants with Love
    Oct. 26, 2024

    Thornton, Folio - Cupid inspiring plants with Love

    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 Pontic Rhododendron
    Oct. 19, 2024

    Thornton, Folio - The Pontic Rhododendron

    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
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