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Details
Mary Lawrance (fl.1794-1830)
[A Collection of Passion Flowers.] London: Miss Lawrance, May 1799 - January 1802. 6 parts only (all published) in one volume, broadsheet (475 x 353mm). Without title or text, as issued. 18 hand-coloured etched and engraved plates by Mary Lawrance, some with foliage heightened with gum arabic, extra-illustrated with original smaller format prospectus mounted on front pastedown. (The first and the 16-18th plates with small section of upper outer corner worn away, 15mm. tear to lower margin of 7th plate.) Mid-20th century cloth-backed boards, letterpress title label mounted on upper cover.
THE RAREST OF MRS LAWERENCE'S WORKS, the suite of illustrations of the passion flower family is only known in 4 other complete copies. From the prospectus, dated May 1, 1799, it is clear that Miss Lawrance's intention was that the work should contain 30 plates. 'The Work to be etched and coloured to imitate Drawings, by Miss Lawrance, from the originals now in her possession. To contain every species of Passion-flowers, now in cultivation in the English Gardens. To be published in Numbers, each containing Three Species, and to be comprized in Ten Numbers... The Name and Botanical Description (according to the best Authorities) to be elegantly engraved on each Plate. The Price to Subscribers will be Ten Shillings and Sixpence each Number...' It is not known if it was lack of subjects or lack of interest that brought the work up short, but the present complement of 18 plates from 6 parts is all that was ever published. The plates are dated May 1, 1799; September 1799; December 1799; February 1800; April 1800; June 1800; October 1, 1800 and January 1802.
The four other complete copies are in the British Library, the Royal Horticultural Society, Mrs. Mellon's library at Oak Spring. The Plesch/de Belder copy is the only other complete copy recorded as having sold at auction in the last 25 years. The present copy may be the one referred to by Henrey 'In 1958... Sotheby sold for £190 [to Quaritch] the eighteen etched plates composing A Collection of passion flowers, bound in boards with a cloth backstrip,,' (vol.II, p.580). Mary Lawrance (later Mrs. Kearse) describes herself as a 'Teacher of Botanical Drawing' on the imprint and exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1795 to 1830. She belonged to a period when flower painting was considered one of the necessary social accomplishments for ladies and was able to charge half-a-guinea a lesson. She "is said to have been the possessor of much personal charm and exceedingly popular in London... [she] obtained her botanical specimens for her drawings from various nursery gardens, including the famous Vineyard nursery at Hammersmith... It was thought to be an honour for the owner as well as for the flower when Miss Lawrence painted its portrait" (Henrey II,pp.580-581). Dunthorne 176; Great Flower Books p.64; Henrey III.947; Hunt 760 (incomplete copy); Nissen BBI 115; Tomasi; Oak Spring Flora.
[A Collection of Passion Flowers.] London: Miss Lawrance, May 1799 - January 1802. 6 parts only (all published) in one volume, broadsheet (475 x 353mm). Without title or text, as issued. 18 hand-coloured etched and engraved plates by Mary Lawrance, some with foliage heightened with gum arabic, extra-illustrated with original smaller format prospectus mounted on front pastedown. (The first and the 16-18th plates with small section of upper outer corner worn away, 15mm. tear to lower margin of 7th plate.) Mid-20th century cloth-backed boards, letterpress title label mounted on upper cover.
THE RAREST OF MRS LAWERENCE'S WORKS, the suite of illustrations of the passion flower family is only known in 4 other complete copies. From the prospectus, dated May 1, 1799, it is clear that Miss Lawrance's intention was that the work should contain 30 plates. 'The Work to be etched and coloured to imitate Drawings, by Miss Lawrance, from the originals now in her possession. To contain every species of Passion-flowers, now in cultivation in the English Gardens. To be published in Numbers, each containing Three Species, and to be comprized in Ten Numbers... The Name and Botanical Description (according to the best Authorities) to be elegantly engraved on each Plate. The Price to Subscribers will be Ten Shillings and Sixpence each Number...' It is not known if it was lack of subjects or lack of interest that brought the work up short, but the present complement of 18 plates from 6 parts is all that was ever published. The plates are dated May 1, 1799; September 1799; December 1799; February 1800; April 1800; June 1800; October 1, 1800 and January 1802.
The four other complete copies are in the British Library, the Royal Horticultural Society, Mrs. Mellon's library at Oak Spring. The Plesch/de Belder copy is the only other complete copy recorded as having sold at auction in the last 25 years. The present copy may be the one referred to by Henrey 'In 1958... Sotheby sold for £190 [to Quaritch] the eighteen etched plates composing A Collection of passion flowers, bound in boards with a cloth backstrip,,' (vol.II, p.580). Mary Lawrance (later Mrs. Kearse) describes herself as a 'Teacher of Botanical Drawing' on the imprint and exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1795 to 1830. She belonged to a period when flower painting was considered one of the necessary social accomplishments for ladies and was able to charge half-a-guinea a lesson. She "is said to have been the possessor of much personal charm and exceedingly popular in London... [she] obtained her botanical specimens for her drawings from various nursery gardens, including the famous Vineyard nursery at Hammersmith... It was thought to be an honour for the owner as well as for the flower when Miss Lawrence painted its portrait" (Henrey II,pp.580-581). Dunthorne 176; Great Flower Books p.64; Henrey III.947; Hunt 760 (incomplete copy); Nissen BBI 115; Tomasi; Oak Spring Flora.
Special notice
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