[Calligraphic illuminated manuscript on vellum] A sonnet addressed by

ROBINSON (Mary Heath)

[Calligraphic illuminated manuscript on vellum] A sonnet addressed by King James to his son Prince Henry

A fine illuminated manuscript by Mary Heath Robinson

Original illuminated calligraphic manuscript on vellum by Mary Heath Robinson in black and gold, with floral border in blue, red and green on a background of gilt leafsprays populated with flowers in pink, blue, green and red, with the Royal coat of arms beneath in red, blue and gilt. 47x34cm. In roughly contemporary glazed black wooden frame, with the name of ‘Miss M. H. Robinson’ on the reverse in pencil, 1925.

£2,500.00

Very good, frame chipped and rubbed at extremities.

Sister to three prolific and well-known book illustrators, William Heath Robinson, Thomas Heath Robinson and Charles Robinson, Mary ‘gained a considerable reputation as an illuminator’ (Beare, The Brothers Robinson). Her manuscripts were included in at least two exhibitions of the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society, in 1926 and 1931, with an entry in the former, described simply as a ‘ms. psalter’, priced at an astonishing £100. In the exhibition programmes her address is given as North Hornsey, but little else is known.

The text of the manuscript is taken from King James I’s Basilikon Doron, a treatise on government outlining ways to be an effective ruler. The illuminated borders draw heavily on 15th century Italian manuscripts, both in the bold use of colour and the sinuous vegetation, with clear influence too of the English Arts and Crafts movement.

Stock No.

253271

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[Calligraphic illuminated manuscript on vellum] A sonnet addressed by King James to his son Prince Henry

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