A selection of stock we have recently added to our website.
A selection of stock we have recently added to our website.
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Statue of the Late James Watt.
F. Chantrey RA. Drawn by Permission, on Stone from the Marble Statue, by I. Zeitter.
[n.d., c.1820s.]
Lithograph on india paper, scarce, india 320 x 165mm. 12½ x 6½".
James Watt Memorial: In 1825 a very large white marble statue was erected in St Paul’s chapel in Westminster Abbey in memory of James Watt, civil engineer. It was made by Sir Francis Chantrey and cost over £6,000. The introduction of this colossal monument into the little chapel meant that the pedestal had to be divided into three pieces and was dragged in over the medieval tomb of Sir Lewis Robessart, destroying the ancient coffin lid. The statue only just went through the door and the floor gave way under its weight and disclosed “rows upon rows of gilded coffins” beneath. Had the area not been planked over the workmen and the statue would have fallen in. The epitaph was by Lord Brougham and read: “Not to perpetuate a name which must endure while the peaceful arts flourish, but to shew that mankind have learned to know those who best deserve their gratitude. The King, His Ministers, and many of the Nobles and Commoners of the Realm raised this monument to JAMES WATT who, directing the force of an original Genius, early exercised in philosophic research, to the improvement of the Steam Engine, enlarged the resources of his Country, increased the power of Man, and rose to an eminent place among the most illustrious followers of science and the real benefactors of the World. Born at Greenock MDCCXXXVI Died at Heathfield in Staffordshire MDCCCXIX.” In 1960 the statue was removed from the Abbey and a bronzed plaster bust was given in its place by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. The bust stands on the window ledge in the north choir aisle and a memorial stone was inserted in the floor of St Paul’s chapel to mark the site of the statue, with the same inscription as above carved on it. The Chantrey statue is now at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
[Ref: 21981] £220.00 (£264.00 incl.VAT)
F. Chantrey RA. Drawn by Permission, on Stone from the Marble Statue, by I. Zeitter.
[n.d., c.1820s.]
Lithograph on india paper, scarce, india 320 x 165mm. 12½ x 6½".
James Watt Memorial: In 1825 a very large white marble statue was erected in St Paul’s chapel in Westminster Abbey in memory of James Watt, civil engineer. It was made by Sir Francis Chantrey and cost over £6,000. The introduction of this colossal monument into the little chapel meant that the pedestal had to be divided into three pieces and was dragged in over the medieval tomb of Sir Lewis Robessart, destroying the ancient coffin lid. The statue only just went through the door and the floor gave way under its weight and disclosed “rows upon rows of gilded coffins” beneath. Had the area not been planked over the workmen and the statue would have fallen in. The epitaph was by Lord Brougham and read: “Not to perpetuate a name which must endure while the peaceful arts flourish, but to shew that mankind have learned to know those who best deserve their gratitude. The King, His Ministers, and many of the Nobles and Commoners of the Realm raised this monument to JAMES WATT who, directing the force of an original Genius, early exercised in philosophic research, to the improvement of the Steam Engine, enlarged the resources of his Country, increased the power of Man, and rose to an eminent place among the most illustrious followers of science and the real benefactors of the World. Born at Greenock MDCCXXXVI Died at Heathfield in Staffordshire MDCCCXIX.” In 1960 the statue was removed from the Abbey and a bronzed plaster bust was given in its place by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. The bust stands on the window ledge in the north choir aisle and a memorial stone was inserted in the floor of St Paul’s chapel to mark the site of the statue, with the same inscription as above carved on it. The Chantrey statue is now at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
[Ref: 21981] £220.00 (£264.00 incl.VAT)