The Harbours Of England. Engraved By Thomas Lupton, From Original Drawings Made Expressly For The Work By J.M.W. Turner, R.A. With Illustrative Text By J. Ruskin, Author Of "Modern Painters."

RA Collection: Book

Record number

07/1638

Imprint

London:: Published By E. Gambert And Co., 25. Berners Street, Oxford Street., 1856.

Physical Description

[2], vii, [i], 53, [1] p., 12 pl.; 372 mm. (Quarto.)

Contents

[Half-t., t.p.] - Preface - List Of Plates - [Text, 'The Harbours Of England'] - [Plates, and texts]; [colophon].

Responsibility Note

All plates are signed as drawn by J.M.W. Turner and engraved by Thos. Lupton.

Each carries the publishers' imprint of E. Gambart & Co. and the date (May 7th. 1856).

The printer is named on the half-title verso and in the colophon: 'London: Printed by Spottiswoode & Co. New-street Square.'

References

B. Hunnisett, Engraved on steel (1998); C. Wax, The mezzotint: history and technique (1990); D. Birch, Ruskin on Turner (1990); A. Lyles and D. Perkins, Colour into line: Turner and the art of engraving [exhibition catalogue] (1989); E. Shanes, Turner's rivers, harbours and coasts (1981); L. Herrmann, Ruskin and Turner (1968); W.G. Rawlinson, The engraved work of J.M.W. Turner (2 v., 1908-13), 778-90; T. Lupton, 'Paper in the polite arts: engraving in mezzotinto on steel', in Transactions of the Society instituted at London, for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, 60 (1823), p.41-3.

Summary Note

All plates carry the publication-date of May 7th 1856. Six of the mezzotints had first been published (by Thomas Lupton) as Ports of England between 1826 and 1828. They were an early example of engraving on steel, of which Lupton was a pioneer and enthusiast.

The plates are captioned and show: 1. Dover; 2. Ramsgate; 3. Plymouth; 4. Catwater; 5. Sheerness; 6. Margate; 7. Portsmouth; 8. Falmouth; 9. Sidmouth; 10. Whitby; 11. Deal; 12. Scarborough.

Binding Note

19th-century blue cloth, upper and lower covers decorated and lettered 'Harbours of England by Turner & Ruskin', the upper in gilt, the lower in blind; rebacked in 1990 retaining earlier spine-piece ettered 'Turner's Harbours Of England' and 'R.A.'

Name as Subject

Subject

Harbours - Ships - Marine environments - Great Britain - History - 19th century
Seascapes - Marines (visual works) - Drawings - Great Britian - 19th century
Views - Great Britain - 19th century
Pictorial works - Mezzotints - Steel engravings - Great Britain - 19th century

Contributors

J.M.W. Turner RA, source artist, draughtsman
Thomas Lupton, engraver
Ernest Gambart, publisher
John Ruskin
Spottiswoode and Company (London), printer