Print Highlight

The Bee-Eater

Benjamin Fawcett was one of the great colour printers of the 19th Century, working from the small provincial town of Driffield in the East Riding of Yorkshire, he pioneered a production-line system of hand-colouring which has never since been equalled.

Perhaps his most famous book production was British Birds which originally came out in monthly parts and was spread over several years.

His wife would colour the original black and white engraving, and this would be used by one of the 100 or so girls he employed as the example from which to work. His wife then inspected the finished product and rejected any which didn't come up to scratch.

The illustration above (click on it to see it larger) is of a contemporary coloured plate. Some examples of this have a pale biscuit-coloured background tint. This particular print, The Bee-Eater, has a plate size of appoximately 7.5 x 5 inches (19 x 13 cms). It is sold ready to frame with a mount size of approximately 12 x 10 inches (30 x 25.5 cms). It was printed ca 1870. The cost is £25.

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Last Modified: 30 October 2000