A king-fisher

description below

“George IV sits on a small stone among tall bulrushes at the water’s edge in profile to the left, fishing, his rod being a sceptre. Leaning forward, he looks anxiously at his tautening line. On his head is poised a small but massive crown, a creel hangs at his back; he wears quasi-military dress, white gauntlet gloves, and breeches with jack-boots (cf. British Museum Satires No. 14220). In the foreground, looking up at him, is a kingfisher. In the background, at the water’s edge, is a small thatched peasant’s cottage behind which is Windsor Castle, on its wooded hill, flying the Royal Standard (cottage and castle being mere symbols). Below the title is a circular garter inscribed Honi. Soit. Qui. Mal. Y. Pense.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Title: A king-fisher [graphic].
  • Publication: [London] : Fairburn, Broadway, Ludgate Hill, May 1826.

Catalog Record

836.05.00.01+

Acquired September 2023

The Wykeham or Winchester Tower. North west view

description below

View of Winchester Tower, Windsor Castle, from the north west; the Norman Gate in the background on the left; trees below the tower in the foreground.

  • Printmaker: Kernot, J. H., printmaker.
  • Title: The Wykeham or Winchester Tower. North west view [graphic] : part of the repairs, alterations and improvements of Windsor Castle, in the reigns of King George IV, King William IV, and Queen Victoria / Mich. Gandy, del. ; Sir Jeffry Wyatville, architect ; engraved by J.H. Kernot.
  • Edition: [Proof].
  • Publication: [London] : [John Weale], [1841]

Catalog record

Topos B513 no. 1+

Acquired August 2022

The head ranger and his fallow deer

description below

“George IV, dressed as a sportsman, in a broad-brimmed hat, jacket with many pockets, and gaiters above the knee, walks in Windsor Park beside a deer with a woman’s head and wearing a collar inscribed ‘Chester’. He puts his arm round her neck, and says, staring at her amorously, ‘”I’ll build you my Dear [altered to] deer a neat Cottage close by, | Where We can retreat unobserved, on the sly, | So be not afraid of the old Cunning Doe, | Whose stale selfish Tricks are become quite So-so.’ They are under a tree; bushes screen them from the Cottage (left), just below Windsor Castle on its steep hill.”–British Museum online catalogue.

  • Printmaker: Jones, Thomas Howell, active 1823-1848, printmaker.
  • Title: The head ranger and his fallow deer [graphic].
  • Publication: London : Pubd. 1829 by S.W. Fores, 41 Piccadilly, [1829]

Catalog Record

829.00.00.114+

Acquired November 2020

Album of watercolors of the countryside around Weston Sands House

description below

An album of watercolors assembled by the gentleman farmer and amateur artist John Tomes showing views of his manor house Weston Sands House and the surrounding countryside. Tomes recorded his estate from many angles and in all seasons as well as picturesque spots in the neighbouring countryside, including several views of the River Avon which bordered his estate. Also included are a series of watercolors taken on a trip to the Isle of Wight. There is also a view of Windsor Castle (?) across the Thames and many watercolors of medieval ruins, abbeys, and castles. Tomes also copied a number of Turner prints from the ‘Liber Studiorum’ (published 1807-1819) and his ‘Picturesque views on the Southern Coast’ (published 1814-1826).

  • Artist: Tomes, John, 1791-1863, artist.
  • Title: [Album of watercolors of the countryside around Weston Sands House] [art original].
  • Production: [Warwickshire, England], [ca. 1818-1850]

Catalog Record

Folio 75 T656 818

Acquired April 2021

The poetical works of Alexander Pope

CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE: Binding

CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE: Frontispiece

CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE: Title page (Vol. 2)

Bound in contemporary crimson straight-grain morocco, gilt edges, by Taylor & Hessey; with fore-edge paintings of Windsor Castle (v. 1) and Strawberry Hill (v. 2). Both volumes with the signatures of Miss Mt. Rigden on first blank.

  • Author: Pope, Alexander, 1688-1744.
  • Title: The poetical works of Alexander Pope / with his life by Samuel Johnson, LL.D.
  • Published: London : Printed by Whittingham and Rowland, Goswell Street, for Sharpe and Hailes, opposite Albany, Piccadilly, 1811.

Catalog Record

Acquired October 2011.