| Rudolph
Ackermann
(1764-1834) pioneered
lithography and produced some of the best early colour printing in
Britain, publishing numerous fine illustrated volumes, and
magazines .
He was born on April 20, 1764 in Stolberg.
Apprenticed to his
father a coach-builder, he moved first to Dresden, then to Paris
and eventually to London whilst still working at coach-building. In
1795 he married and set up a print shop at 96 The Strand, moving
the following year to 101 The Strand. He had already taken over a
drawing school originally established at this address by William
Shipley, the founder of the Society of Arts, and maintained it
until 1806.
The first major colour plate book he
published was The Microcosm
of London; (or London in Miniature) which appeared in monthly parts
between 1808 and 1810. Printed on hot-pressed handmade paper, books
were illustrated using coloured aquatints. The architectural
backgrounds were drawn by Augustus Pugin and the figures were drawn
by Thomas Rowlandson. Ackermann originally planned to issue the
book in twenty-four numbers at 7/6d a number, but he soon found
himself obliged to raise the price to 10/6d, and the number of
parts to twenty-six. Successful production techniques and methods
of marketing by subscription prompted him to follow the same plan
with his next publications. For the reproduction of the drawings by
Pugin and Rowlandson, five different engravers were used to produce
the plates: fifty-four by J. Bluck, twenty-nine by J.C. Stadler,
ten by T. Sutherland, ten by J. Hill and one by Harraden. From 1790
. . 1830 the principle process in book illustration was aquatint
engraving. Once the drawing and the engraving had been made, the
colour process began. The engravings might be printed in two
colours, perhaps brown for the foreground and blue for the sky and
distance, the remaining colour would be applied by hand. Ackermann
employed colourists and engravers at his 'Repository of Arts' but
like most publishers he would also have used pieceworkers. Bundles
of sheets to be coloured would be distributed to workers who would
do the work in their own homes. Often the work was done by
children, but sometimes whole families would work together at home
by candlelight.Handcolouring can save money when printing large
plates although people like Ackermann stressed the high cost of
hand finishing. He used poorly paid French refugees and later hand
coloured plate producers used children and stencils.
These should also be included upon
the appropriate subject
page as time allows
|
Carleton House. Pall Mall, London. / Carlton
House
Rowlandson & Pugin del et
Sculpt. J.C. Stadler Aquat.
London, Pub. Full page original antique aquatint from .The
"Repository of Arts, Literature, Commerce, Manufactures, Fashions
and Politics, commonly known as Ackermann's Repository, after
Rudolph Ackermann, its publisher .... first appeared in London in
1809 as a monthly publication Dated 1811 at 101 Strand Image 20 x
12 cm Page 54 x 36 cm so Full margins ! £105
|
The Staircase, Carlton House. Pall Mall,
London.
Rowlandson & Pugin del et
Sculpt. J.C. Stadler Aquat.
London, Pub. Full page original antique aquatint from .The
"Repository of Arts, Literature, Commerce, Manufactures, Fashions
and Politics, commonly known as Ackermann's Repository, after
Rudolph Ackermann, its publisher .... first appeared in London in
1809 as a monthly publication Dated 1811 at 101 Strand Image 20 x
30 cm Page 54 x 36 cm so Full margins ! cropped
copy mounted at £85
|
Carlton House. Pall Mall, London.
Rowlandson & Pugin del et
Sculpt. J.C. Stadler Aquat.
London, Pub. July 1st July, 1809 at R. Ackermann's Repository of
Arts 101 Strand. for the Repository of Arts Vol/Plate: 6/19. In
addition to the impression in Select Views(Papworth) City of
Westminster Library have three versions of this print, one of the
outline etching only; one with outline etching and aquatint,
uncoloured; and one with the outline etching and aquatint coloured
Coloured aquatint. full borders /full page £125 Image 32 x 13
cm
Page 54 x 36 cm so Full margins !
|
34. Russell Institution, Great Coram Street
Full page original antique aquatint
from .The
"Repository of Arts, Literature, Commerce, Manufactures, Fashions
and Politics, commonly known as Ackermann's Repository, after
Rudolph Ackermann, its publisher .... first appeared in London in
1809 as a monthly publication Dated 1811 at 101 Strand. Rowlandson
& Pugin del et Sculpt. J.C. Stadler Aquat. London, Image 20 x
13 cm Page 54 x 36 cm so Full margins ! £95
|
101. South Sea House, Dividend Hall /Threadneedle
Street /EC2
from ACKERMANN'S MICROCOSM OF LONDON
(1808) 104
Handcoloured aquatints in three volumes, issued in parts between
1808 and 1810. Published by Rudolph Ackermann, this series is of
interest in setting a new standard for the figures "staffage" in
topographical prints. This was achieved by an exceptional
partnership between Augustus Pugin, who made the architectural
drawing, and Thomas Rowlandson, who added the figures, frequently
caricatures. The majority of the plates were aquatinted by J. Bluck
and Joseph Stadler . . this one is by Sutherland . This series of
prints is Series 99 as catalogued in London Illustrated 1604-1851
by Bernard Adams. The image is The Long Room, Custom House. This is
the earlier sepia aquatint as sold £95 good margins let ito a
larger sheet of paper 'window' style to protect it probably years
ago
|
56. Mounting Guard, St. James's Park Vol 2 /SW
from ACKERMANN'S MICROCOSM OF LONDON
(1808) 104
Handcoloured aquatints in three volumes, issued in parts between
1808 and 1810. Published by Rudolph Ackermann, this series is of
interest in setting a new standard for the figures "staffage" in
topographical prints. This was achieved by an exceptional
partnership between Augustus Pugin, who made the architectural
drawing, and Thomas Rowlandson, who added the figures, frequently
caricatures. The majority of the plates were aquatinted by J. Bluck
and Joseph Stadler . .. good margins, good colour some age toning
mounted etc £95
|
53. Lottery Drawing, Coopers Hall /EC2
from ACKERMANN'S MICROCOSM OF
LONDON (1808) 104
Handcoloured aquatints in three volumes, issued in parts between
1808 and 1810. Published by Rudolph Ackermann, this series is of
interest in setting a new standard for the figures "staffage" in
topographical prints. This was achieved by an exceptional
partnership between Augustus Pugin, who made the architectural
drawing, and Thomas Rowlandson, who added the figures, frequently
caricatures. The majority of the plates were aquatinted by J. Bluck
and Joseph Stadler . .. perfect no defects price inc postage
£125 x 6 ( 1 in wash lined mount)
|
60. Pantheon Masquerade /SW
from ACKERMANN'S MICROCOSM OF
LONDON (1808) 104
Handcoloured aquatints in three volumes, issued in parts between
1808 and 1810. Published by Rudolph Ackermann, this series is of
interest in setting a new standard for the figures "staffage" in
topographical prints. This was achieved by an exceptional
partnership between Augustus Pugin, who made the architectural
drawing, and Thomas Rowlandson, who added the figures, frequently
caricatures. The majority of the plates were aquatinted by J. Bluck
and Joseph Stadler . .. perfect no defects framed with wash lined
mount etc price inc postage £125
|
47. King's Mews, Charing Cross /WC
from ACKERMANN'S MICROCOSM OF
LONDON (1808) 104
Handcoloured aquatints in three volumes, issued in parts between
1808 and 1810. Published by Rudolph Ackermann, this series is of
interest in setting a new standard for the figures "staffage" in
topographical prints. This was achieved by an exceptional
partnership between Augustus Pugin, who made the architectural
drawing, and Thomas Rowlandson, who added the figures, frequently
caricatures. The majority of the plates were aquatinted by J. Bluck
and Joseph Stadler . .. perfect no defects framed with washlined
mount etc price inc postage £125
|
63. The Post Office
from ACKERMANN'S MICROCOSM OF
LONDON (1808) 104
Handcoloured aquatints in three volumes, issued in parts between
1808 and 1810. Published by Rudolph Ackermann, this series is of
interest in setting a new standard for the figures "staffage" in
topographical prints. This was achieved by an exceptional
partnership between Augustus Pugin, who made the architectural
drawing, and Thomas Rowlandson, who added the figures, frequently
caricatures. The majority of the plates were aquatinted by J. Bluck
and Joseph Stadler . .. perfect no defects framed with washhh lined
mount etc price inc postage £105
|
79. St. Martins, in the Fields /SW
from ACKERMANN'S MICROCOSM OF
LONDON (1808) 104
Handcoloured aquatints in three volumes, issued in parts between
1808 and 1810. Published by Rudolph Ackermann, this series is of
interest in setting a new standard for the figures "staffage" in
topographical prints. This was achieved by an exceptional
partnership between Augustus Pugin, who made the architectural
drawing, and Thomas Rowlandson, who added the figures, frequently
caricatures. The majority of the plates were aquatinted by J. Bluck
and Joseph Stadler . .. perfect no defects framed with washlined
mount etc price inc postage £125
|
96. Workhouse, St. James's Parish
from ACKERMANN'S MICROCOSM OF
LONDON (1808) 104
Handcoloured aquatints in three volumes, issued in parts between
1808 and 1810. Published by Rudolph Ackermann, this series is of
interest in setting a new standard for the figures "staffage" in
topographical prints. This was achieved by an exceptional
partnership between Augustus Pugin, who made the architectural
drawing, and Thomas Rowlandson, who added the figures, frequently
caricatures. The majority of the plates were aquatinted by J. Bluck
and Joseph Stadler . .. perfect no defects framed with washlined
mount etc price inc postage £125
|
83. Tattersall's Horse Repository Vol 3/SW
from ACKERMANN'S MICROCOSM OF LONDON (1808)
104 Handcoloured
aquatints in three volumes, issued in parts between 1808 and 1810.
Published by Rudolph Ackermann, this series is of interest in
setting a new standard for the figures "staffage" in topographical
prints. This was achieved by an exceptional partnership between
Augustus Pugin, who made the architectural drawing, and Thomas
Rowlandson, who added the figures, frequently caricatures. The
majority of the plates were aquatinted by J. Bluck and Joseph
Stadler . . this one is by Sutherland . This series of prints is
Series 99 as catalogued in London Illustrated 1604-1851 by Bernard
Adams..full page good margins, good colour mounted etc £95
|
View from the Quadrangle , Rugby School
. . . . from The History of the Colleges
of Winchester, Eton,
and Westminster; with the Charter-House, the Schools of St.
Paulís,
Merchant Taylors, Harrow, and Rugby, and the Free-School of
Christís Hospital. London: Printed for and Published by
Rudolph
ACKERMANN, 1816. First edition. 34 x 28cm . The original drawings
for these plates were by Westall. The actual engraving was done by
Havell and Stadler, with a few plates by Bluck and Bennett. Here
again it may be noticed that many of the aquatints are printed in
two colours before being finished by hand. **These are very good
colour but have been laid to card almost since new with a layer of
old dried gum and mark from framing around the plate mark but still
mega rare and at present the complete set** £65 each inc
|
View of the Southern Schools and
Dormitories Rugby
School
. . . . from The History of the
Colleges of Winchester,
Eton, and Westminster; with the Charter-House, the Schools of St.
Paulís, Merchant Taylors, Harrow, and Rugby, and the
Free-School of
Christís Hospital. London: Printed for and Published by
Rudolph
ACKERMANN, 1816. First edition. 34 x 28cm . The original drawings
for these plates were by Westall. The actual engraving was done by
Havell and Stadler, with a few plates by Bluck and Bennett. Here
again it may be noticed that many of the aquatints are printed in
two colours before being finished by hand**These are very good
colour but have been laid to card almost since new with a layer of
old dried gum and mark from framing around the plate mark but still
mega rare and at present the complete set** £65 each inc
|
View of Rugby School from the
Northampton
Road
. . . . from The History of the
Colleges of Winchester,
Eton, and Westminster; with the Charter-House, the Schools of St.
Paulís, Merchant Taylors, Harrow, and Rugby, and the
Free-School of
Christís Hospital. London: Printed for and Published by
Rudolph
ACKERMANN, 1816. First edition. 34 x 28cm . The original drawings
for these plates were by Westall. The actual engraving was done by
Havell and Stadler, with a few plates by Bluck and Bennett. Here
again it may be noticed that many of the aquatints are printed in
two colours before being finished by hand**These are very good
colour but have been laid to card almost since new with a layer of
old dried gum and mark from framing around the plate mark but still
mega rare and at present the complete set** £65 each inc
|
The Head Master's House Rugby
. . . . from The History of the
Colleges of Winchester,
Eton, and Westminster; with the Charter-House, the Schools of St.
Paulís, Merchant Taylors, Harrow, and Rugby, and the
Free-School of
Christís Hospital. London: Printed for and Published by
Rudolph
ACKERMANN, 1816. First edition. 34 x 28cm . The original drawings
for these plates were by Westall. The actual engraving was done by
Havell and Stadler, with a few plates by Bluck and Bennett. Here
again it may be noticed that many of the aquatints are printed in
two colours before being finished by hand**These are very good
colour but have been laid to card almost since new with a layer of
old dried gum and mark from framing around the plate mark but still
mega rare and at present the complete set** £65 each inc
|
The Royal
Mint /EC3
pub18o9 by Pugin &
Rowlandson for
Ackermann's MICROCOSM OF LONDON (1808.. 1810) The partnership
between Augustus Pugin, who made the architectural drawing,
and Thomas Rowlandson, who added the figures, frequently
caricatures. The majority of the plates were aquatinted by J.
Bluck and Joseph Stadler. Condition still bright framed at
present £88
|
Staines Bridge.
Plate No. 9 (Nos. in prefix list, not on
plates) page 112
Staines Bridge. W. Westall A.R.A. delt. C. Bentley sculpt.
Published 1828 by R.Ackermann, 96 Strand, London. 177 x 263mm. from
WESTALL AND OWEN'S PICTURESQUE TOUR OF THE THAMES (1828) Samuel
Owen, (1768..1857). was a marine painter who exhibited at the RA
from 1794 to 1807 & the AA 1808-10. Published "Picturesque Tour
of the Thames" with Westall, & illustrated WB Cooke's "The
Thames" in 1811.
£135 in cream mount inc. .
.better colour than pic lightened to
show details
|
Maidenhead Bridge
Plate No. 5 (Nos. in prefix list,
not on plates) page
90 Maidenhead Bridge. W. Westall A.R.A. delt. J. Bailey sculpt.
Published 1828 by R.Ackermann, 96 Strand, London. 178 x 268mm. from
WESTALL AND OWEN'S PICTURESQUE TOUR OF THE THAMES (1828) Samuel
Owen, (1768..1857). was a marine painter who exhibited at the RA
from 1794 to 1807 & the AA 1808-10. Published "Picturesque Tour
of the Thames" with Westall, & illustrated WB Cooke's "The
Thames" in 1811.
£135 in cream mount inc
.better colour than pic lightened
to show details
|
the Post
Office
pub1809 by Pugin
& Rowlandson for Ackermann's MICROCOSM OF LONDON (1808.. 1810)
The partnership between Augustus Pugin, who made the architectural
drawing, and Thomas Rowlandson, who added the figures, frequently
caricatures. The majority of the plates were aquatinted by J. Bluck
and Joseph Stadler. Condition good still bright framed at present
£88
|
Salmon
Fishing at Lurley pub1820by
Pugin & Rowlandson for Ackermann's Repository
£88
|
The
Horse Armoury at the Tower /EC3
from ACKERMANN'S MICROCOSM OF LONDON
(1808) 104
Handcoloured aquatints in three volumes, issued in parts between
1808 and 1810. Published by Rudolph Ackermann, this series is of
interest in setting a new standard for the figures "staffage" in
topographical prints. This was achieved by an exceptional
partnership between Augustus Pugin, who made the architectural
drawing, and Thomas Rowlandson, who added the figures, frequently
caricatures. The majority of the plates were aquatinted by J. Bluck
and Joseph Stadler . .. good margins, good colour £95
|
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** Oxford
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