Sir Joseph Banks hand-coloured portrait, antique print engraved c1854

by London Printing & Publishing Company

Original fine stippled steel engraving by Henry Robinson (fl.187-1872), from the original Sir Thomas Lawrence painting in the British Museum. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. K.B: P.R.S. Ob.1820. Published in London circa 1854 by The London Printing and Publishing Company.

This would be one of the most exquisitely engraved Tallis portraits. Tallis & Company were renowned for the decorative engraved borders they added to their engraved maps and prints. In 1853 John Tallis and Ephraim Tipton Brain formed the partnership of The London Printing and Publishing Company, and continued publishing in the Tallis style until 1856 - by which time the painstaking skilled work was too slow and too costly to maintain.

Page measures 285 x 190mm (11.25 x 7.5 inches). Engraved area has fine later hand-colour and measures 18 x 23cm (approximately 7 x 9 inches). There is a very short vertical tear (approx.1/4 inch) at top page extremity, and slight soiling spot at base of page.