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Ticket
Thomas Higham, born 1796 - died 1844 - Enlarge image
Ticket
- Place of origin:
London, England (drawn)
- Date:
1823 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Thomas Higham, born 1796 - died 1844 (maker)
- Materials and Techniques:
Etching, ink on paper
- Museum number:
29072:9
- Gallery location:
British Galleries, room 120, case 22
Object Type
This is a printed ticket for an auction in 1823 of the contents of Fonthill Abbey, William Beckford's house in Wiltshire. The ticket was issued by the auctioneer Phillips and was valid for up to three people.
Historical Associations
The sale was one of the largest and most-talked about events of the year. It lasted nearly two months and comprised over 2,000 lots and 20,000 books.
There was enormous interest in the sale, as the fabulous nature of Fonthill Abbey's contents had been the subject of much speculation and curiosity. Until the public viewing prior to the aborted sale of 1822, Fonthill Abbey had not been open to viewing by the public, as had many other country houses at the time.
Subject Depicted
The central image on the ticket is Fonthill Abbey. This building was created in the Gothic Revival style for the famous author, designer and collector William Beckford. The design of the ticket reflects the style of the building itself.
