Robert John Thornton Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Robert John Thornton Art Value Price Guide

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
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
Apr. 11, 2025
Robert John Thornton Botanical Print, "The Winged Passion Flower"
Est: $100 - $200
Robert John Thornton, Publisher (British 1768-1873)Â 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Jan. 31, 2025
Robert John Thornton Botanical Print, "The Winged Passion Flower"
Est: $100 - $200
Robert John Thornton, Publisher (British 1768-1873)Â 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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