Anna Atkins Sold at Auction Prices

With three cyanotypes by Anna Atkins

ATKINS, ANNA (1799-1871) The scrapbook of Mrs. Godsall, nurse to the family of Queen Victoria. 1870s–1880s. Half leather, marbled sides. 7 1/4 x 6 1/4 inches (190 x 158 mm); approximately 50 ff. The scrapbook includes (among much other material) three Anna Atkins cyanotypes; these, of ferns, are tipped-in and measure 5 7/8 x 7 1/8 inches (148 x 180 mm), apparently trimmed from a larger sheet, each with the notation in the image "Presented to Her Majesty the Queen by Mrs. Atkins." Light wear, slight spotting to the cyanotypes, a remarkable collection; together with Queen Victoria. Leaves from the journal of our life in the Highlands from 1848 to 1861 from the Queen... London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1877. "New edition, with additions," this a presentation copy from Queen Victoria inscribed "Victoria Rex, Windsor Castle, May 24, 1889." Publisher's cloth. Near fine. The three Atkins cyanotypes likely were produced during a demonstration given by Anna Atkins for the benefit of the Queen and members of her court. The process would likely have fascinated the Queen, an amateur etcher herself. Unfortunately, we have not been able to trace the date when the demonstration might have occurred. According to the accompanying account of the scrapbook, the cyanotypes were cut down from a larger sheet size. Mrs. Godsall was the nurse to Prince Alexander of Battenberg, Victoria Eugénie of Battenberg and other children in the Royal circle. During her time as a nurse to the Royal Family, she compiled the present scrapbook, which includes much material in addition to the cyanotypes, including several letters or notes from the Queen, portraits of the Royal family, a carte de visite of Mrs. Godsall with the Princess of Wales, a photograph of Mrs. Godsall at about 50 years of age, numerous drawings and watercolors, perhaps of Royal provenance, music, etc. According to an accompanying document (see below) the scrapbook was originally a song book used in the royal circle, given to the nurse for her souvenirs. Atkins cyanotypes are quite rare and extremely desirable, and with this royal provenance, highly unusual. Included with the two books is a typed account and inventory of the materials circa 1953.

ANNA ATKINS (1799 - 1871)

"Sagittaria sagittifolia (Arrowhead plant)"; c. 1843; Cyanotype; 13.5" x 9.5"; Unsigned; Framed (under glass); Provenance: From the Estate of Marcuse “Cusie” Pfeifer (1936 - 2020).

Photograph, Anna Atkins, Cyanotype Photogram, Peiris Grandifolia

Anna Atkins (British, 1799-1871), "Peiris Grandifolia," circa 1852, cyanotype photogram, with the title lower right and an embossed stamp lower right, sight: 8.25"h x 6.75"w, overall (with frame): 20"h x 16.5"w

ANNA ATKINS (1799-1871) Asplenium Fragrans.

ANNA ATKINS (1799-1871) Asplenium Fragrans. Cyanotype photogram, 8x4 5/8 inches (20.3x11.7 cm.), on the original mount measuring 8 1/4x14 1/2 inches (21x36.8 cm.), with a caption in the negative. Circa 1853

Anthriscus, Sylvestria, c. 1854

Anna Atkins (1799-1871) Anthriscus, Sylvestria, c. 1854 cyanotype print titled (in the negative) image/sheet: 13 5/8 x 9 ¾in. (34.5 x 24.8cm.) mount: 18 3/4 x 14 3/4in. (47.8 x 37.2cm.)

INTERESTING & IMPORTANT SMALL SCRAPBOOK OF ALGAE SPECIMENS ATTRIBUTED TO ANNA ATKINS.

Anna Atkins (1799-1871) was an English botanist and photographer. She was the first person to publish a book illustrated exclusively with photographic images. She self-published the book British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions. This book has a leather cover with gold embossed trim titled "Algae". It is inscribed on the inside in period writing "Charles Putnam - A birth-day token from his AFFte (affectionate) Aunt Anna Feb 9, 1850". Lower on the page "Nantucket, Mass". It was known that she worked in New England during this time period. The book has tipped-in twenty 3-1/2" x 4" watercolors of different algae. There are no other markings whatsoever. It is our belief that Charles Putnam was a nephew of Anna Atkins. SIZE: 6-3/4" x 6-3/4". CONDITION: Binding has water and mold damage. Inside watercolors are very good. The tissue paper with foxing. 23919-2

ANNA ATKINS (1799-1871) Mediola Arginica (Bangor, US), 1852-1854 titled (in

ANNA ATKINS (1799-1871) Mediola Arginica (Bangor, US), 1852-1854 titled (in the image) image/sheet: 10 1/8 x 7in. (26 x 20cm.) mount: 14 x 8 1/2in. (35.5 x 21.6cm.)

ANNA ATKINS (1799-1871) Anthriscus, Sylvestria, 1854 or earlier cyanotype print titled (in the image) image/sheet: 13 5/8 x 9¾in. (34.5 x 24.8cm.)

ANNA ATKINS (1799 - 1871)

MAURITIUS, VERS 1850 CYANOTYPE. FLUSH-MOUNTED ON ORIGINAL CARD. Cyanotype. Contrecollé sur carton d'époque. Tirage 25,7 x 20 cm, carton 37 x 24 cm (print 10 1/8 x 7 7/8 in., card 14 ½ x 9 3/8 in.)

ANNA ATKINS (1799 - 1871)

ASPERULA ODOATER, 1852 ASPIDIUM JAMAICA, 1852 Deux cyanotypes. Photogrammes uniques. Chaque tirage avec la désignation scientifique en latin inscrit dans l'image de la main de l'artiste. Montés individuellement sous passe-partout. Two cyanotypes. Each print with the scientific name of the plant inscribed in the image by the artist.

CIRCLE OF ANNA ATKINS (1799-1871)

CIRCLE OF ANNA ATKINS (1799-1871) Paris Arguta, from The Hatton Fern Album, c. 1850 cyanotype photogram titled in red pencil (on the recto) 12 7/8 x 7¾in. (32.3 x 19.7cm.); accompanied by the fern from which the image was made, handstitched by its stem to a mount (2)

ANNA ATKINS (1799-1871)

ANNA ATKINS (1799-1871) Polypodium Dryopteris, 1850-1854 unique cyanotype photogram title (in the image) 12¾ x 8 7/8in. (32.5 x 22.5cm.)

Anna Atkins , 1799-1871 'ASPLENIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM'

cyanotype photogram, titled in the image, mounted, framed, a Fraenkel Gallery label on the reverse, early 1850s

Anna Atkins , 1799-1871 'CHEILANTHES RADIATA'

cyanotype photogram, titled in the image, mounted, framed, a Fraenkel Gallery label on the reverse, early 1850s

Anna Atkins , 1799-1871 'ADIANTUM TENERUM'

cyanotype photogram, titled in the image, mounted, framed, a Fraenkel Gallery label on the reverse, early 1850s

Anna Atkins , 1799-1871 'ACHROSTICUM SIMPLEX, JAMAICA'

cyanotype photogram, titled in the image, mounted, framed, a Fraenkel Gallery label on the reverse, early 1850s

Anna Atkins 1799-1871 , 'pteris rotundifolia (Jamaica)'

cyanotype photogram, from the album Cyanotypes of British and Foreign Flowering Plants and Ferns , the photographer's manuscript title in the image, mounted, matted, early 1850s

ANNA ATKINS 1799-1871 'ASPIDIUM GOLDIANUM (AMERICA)'

cyanotype photogram, from the album Cyanotypes of British and Foreign Flowering Plants, the photographer's manuscript title in the image, mounted to an album leaf, matted, framed, early 1850s PROVENANCE Sotheby's Belgravia, 28 October 1981, Lot 220

PROPERTY OF VARIOUS OWNERS ANNA ATKINS 1799-1871 'BRITISH AND FOREIGN FLOWERING PLANTS'

cyanotype photogram, the pictorial front wrapper from the album Cyanotypes of British and Foreign Flowering Plants, mounted to an album leaf, matted, framed, early 1850s (Sun Gardens, p. 6) PROVENANCE Sotheby's Belgravia, 28 October 1981, Lot 220

ANNA ATKINS (1799-1871)

Photographs of British Algæ. Cyanotype Impressions., Robert Hunt's copy London: Private press [issued in parts/volumes], 1843-53. With a total of 382 cyanotype prints, bound in 2 volumes. Each approx. 10 x 8 1/4 in. (25.5 x 21cm.) Each with manuscript label with specimen identification in image. Many with 'Whatman Turkey Mill' watermarks with varying dates 1843-51. The first volume with title, each volume with respective preface 'British Algæ Vol. I' (with 192 plates) and 'British Algæ Vol. II' (with 187 plates) in cyanotype process. Volume I bound with one cyanotype print by William Lang Jr., signed, printed caption 'Cyanotype Reproduction of Seaweed. (Philota Plumosa)' in image; inscribed 'Sent to me by George Wells via his friend J Foot of Dawlish Devon' in later unknown hand in ink on recto. Each brown half leather, marbled paper boards, titled 'British Algæ Vol. I' and 'British Algæ Vol. II' respectively in gilt on spine. 4to. (2)

ANNA ATKINS 1799-1871

cyanotype photogram, from the album Cyanotypes of British and Foreign Flowering Plants, the photographer's manuscript title in the image, mounted to an album leaf, matted, framed, early 1850s

ANNA ATKINS 1799-1871

cyanotype photogram, from the album Cyanotypes of British and Foreign Flowering Plants, the photographer's manuscript title in the image, mounted to an album leaf, matted, framed, early 1850s

ANNA ATKINS 1799-1871

cyanotype photogram, from the album Cyanotypes of British and Foreign Flowering Plants, the photographer's manuscript title in the image, mounted to an album leaf, matted, framed, early 1850s

ANNA ATKINS 1799-1871

cyanotype photogram, from the album Cyanotypes of British and Foreign Flowering Plants, the photographer's manuscript title in the image, mounted to an album leaf, matted, framed, early 1850s

Anna Atkins

Anna Atkins 'palipodium muscosum (jamaica)', circa 1853-54 Cyanotype Photogram, mounted on album page, titled by the photographer within the image, 321 by 220mm Provenance: Sotheby's, New York, May 7th & 8th 1985, lot 372.

Anna Atkins

Anna Atkins 'athysium molle', circa 1853-54 Cyanotype Photogram, mounted on album page, titled by the photographer within the image, 256 by 202mm Provenance: Christie's, New York, May 6th 1985, lot 36. Literature: For a biography of Anna Atkins and an account of her photographic work see: Larry Schaaf, Sun Gardens, Victorian Photograms by Anna Atkins, New York, 1985. Schaaf explains (p. 36) how Atkins turned her attention to ferns as she was completing her British Algae project. She produced a volume of cyanotype photograms of ferns, presenting them in 1854 to her close friend Anne Dixon. Titled Cyanotypes of British and Foreign Flowering Plants and Ferns, this was 'the most impressive album Atkins is know to have produced. It survived intact until about four years ago, [i.e. circa 1980-81] but its now scattered plates are still an eloquent testimony to an accomplished artist.'