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Bookplate of John William Watson

Print
1901 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The open book at the bottom of the bookplate entitled 'Dorothy Foster' by Walter Besant relates to the Foster or Forster family, governors of Bamburgh Castle from the 12th century. Thomas Forster (1659–1725), High Sheriff of Northumberland, built a new manor house in the early 18th century, which is the Georgian Grecian-style house depicted in the bookplate. The Forsters lived on the estate for over 600 years until they were ruined by the financial excesses of Sir William Forster (d 1700) and the involvement of Thomas Forster (1683–1738) in the Jacobite uprising of 1715. It was then acquired by the Watson family.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleBookplate of John William Watson (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Engraving
Brief description
Engraved bookplate of John William Watson, signed and dated Inv. W.P.B. 1901.
Physical description
Bookplate of John William Watson, inscribed with the engraver's initials and date 'Inv. W.P.B. 1901'. A Georgian, Grecian-style country house is depicted with a sign reading Adderstone Hall. The left side of the plate has a border of roses along the side, leading to a coat of arms at the bottom. There is also a helmet from a suit of armour in the left corner with an ornate metal arm sprouting from the top of the helmet, clutching a sort of branch. There are a number of books stacked at the bottom of the plate and one is open to read 'Dorothy Foster - Besant' alongside two inscriptions in Latin.
Dimensions
  • Height: 3.875in
  • Width: 3in
Dimensions taken from Victoria & Albert Museum Department of Engraving Illustration and Design & Department of Paintings, Accessions 1946. London: Published under the Authority of the Ministry of Education, 1949.
Marks and inscriptions
  • Inv. W.P.B. 1901
  • hic habitabo quia hic felicitas mea
    Translation
    loosely translated as 'Here dwells happiness'
  • Deum Time, Regem Honora
    Translation
    Fear God, Honour the King
Credit line
Given by Mr. Norman Meredith
Subjects depicted
Places depicted
Summary
The open book at the bottom of the bookplate entitled 'Dorothy Foster' by Walter Besant relates to the Foster or Forster family, governors of Bamburgh Castle from the 12th century. Thomas Forster (1659–1725), High Sheriff of Northumberland, built a new manor house in the early 18th century, which is the Georgian Grecian-style house depicted in the bookplate. The Forsters lived on the estate for over 600 years until they were ruined by the financial excesses of Sir William Forster (d 1700) and the involvement of Thomas Forster (1683–1738) in the Jacobite uprising of 1715. It was then acquired by the Watson family.
Bibliographic reference
Victoria & Albert Museum Department of Engraving Illustration and Design & Department of Paintings, Accessions 1946. London: Published under the Authority of the Ministry of Education, 1949.
Collection
Accession number
E.2061-1946

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
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