A rare aquatint engraving by George Brookshaw (1751-1823) , being Plate XC to his "Pomona Brittanica; or, a Collection of the most Esteemed Fruits at present cultivated in this Country..". The publication is considered by some to be one of the finest color-plate books in existence.

The Title reads "Plate XC. Painted and published as the Act directs by the Author G. Brookshaw 1807". Published by White , Cochrane and Co., E.Lloyd and W. Lindsell 1812 (but plates watermarked 1822)

This is Plate XC illustrating the following varieties of apple:

Striped Holland Pippin

Marygold

Sullenworth Rennet

Saint Germain

Watkins Large Dumpling

Beauty of Kent

Good condition. Page size 22 x 18 inches - plate size 17.5 x 13.5 inches, with the authenticating watermark of "H.S. & S. 1822".

Note: A complete copy of this publication comprising 90 plates is currently offered on the internet for $220,000 or $2,440 each

Another single plate recently sold at auction was described as follows
Dunthorne remarked on Brookshaw and his work as “One of the eminent English artists of the early nineteenth century is George Brookshaw, who issued in 1812, Pomona Britannica. Ninety aquatint plates, printed in colour and on a scale comparable to Thornton’s Temple of Flora, depict the fruit grown around London and particularly in the royal gardens at Hampton Court. In Aquatint Engravings, Brookshaw’s Pomona Britannica is described by S. T. Prideaux as 'one of the finest colour plate books in existence.' In many of these plates the lovely mellow tones of the fruit glow against the dark or light brown backgrounds.”