The Head of Shanklin Chine, Waterfall View on a Private Estate, 1821

An original Brannon engraving of the head of Shanklin Chine, Isle of Wight, the only upright plate in the whole series, published on the first of August 1821. The view looks straight into a deep wooded ravine where the waterfall drops over a dark ledge into the stream bed, with ferns and hanging trees closing overhead and a single figure on the path below to measure the height. The upright format was chosen for the subject: nothing else in the volume needed the full fall of water from top to bottom. Beneath the image Brannon engraved a dedication to "M.rs Walton White, of Wotton, in the Isle of Wight", recording that the view was taken on her estate, and this sheet alone is lettered "Brannon, del. et sculp." rather than with his usual drawn and engraved line.

The view belongs to Vectis Scenery, George Brannon's series of original and select views of the Isle of Wight, printed and published by the engraver himself at Wotton Common on the island in 1829 and sold by the principal local booksellers. Brannon drew the subjects on the spot and cut the copper plates himself, so draughtsman and engraver are one man throughout. The volume's own advertisement leaf describes a first series of twenty-eight views with a map and letter-press, with a further twenty views issued separately as a Sequel. The technique is line engraving on copper. The views were issued uncolored, as line engravings on white paper, and this impression is uncolored.

The portrait orientation makes this the odd sheet out in Vectis Scenery, and complete sets of the first series are often broken because the upright plate was framed on its own. That works in a buyer's favor now: it is the one Brannon view that hangs naturally in a tall narrow space, an alcove beside a chimney breast or the wall next to a door. The dedication is a real point of interest, naming the landowner who allowed access to the waterfall and tying the plate to a specific estate at Wotton, where Brannon himself lived and printed. Romantic ravine and waterfall subjects of this date are increasingly collected.

Even age toning. Marked handling soiling along the bottom, left and right edges. Scattered foxing in the margin. All four corners complete.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.