1780s Collection

Lunar Society
The Lunar Society of Birmingham sought to improve society using science; its members included Priestley, Wedgwood, Erasmus Darwin, Herschel, and Watt

Mozart and Constanze on their honeymoon
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 -1791), Austrian composer and musician, seen here honeymooning with his bride Constanze. They married in 1782

Montgolfier balloon in flight over Paris
First manned balloon ascent, made in the presence of the Dauphin, from the Jardin de la Muette, Paris, under the direction of Montgolfier

England / Milton Abbas
The distinctive charm of the village street of Milton Abbas, Dorset. Built in the 1780s by Sir William Chambers at the request of Lord Milton; an early English model village Date: 1950s

Jack Spriggins and the Enchanted Bean. English folk or fairy tale that appeared in this form in 1734, and later became Jack and the Beanstalk. Date: Late 18th Century

Union Workhouse, Hambledon, Surrey
The Hambledon Union workhouse, a building originally erected in 1786 for the united parishes of Bramley, Chiddingfold, Dunfold and Hambledon

Grand Aerostatic Balloon, Little Chelsea
Grand Aerostatic Balloon ascending with Mr Blanchard from the Royal Military Academy, Little Chelsea, London. 16 October 1784

Major General Claud Martins House, by Thomas Daniell
Major General Claud Martins House, the Farhad Baksh, in Lucknow on the River Gumti, by Thomas Daniell (1749-1840). Date: 1789

Balloon ascent by Blanchard
Jean-Pierre Blanchards balloon, probably for the planned ascent from the Champ de Mars, Paris, 2 March 1784. A slightly fanciful representation of the balloon, parachute and carriage. circa 1784

Blanchard and Jeffries crossing English Channel
Jean-Pierre Blanchard and Dr John Jeffries crossing the English Channel by balloon. They left Dover, crossed the sea, and landed near Blanay, between Calais and Boulogne

Balloon ascent from the Tuileries Gardens, Paris
Balloon ascent of Charles and Robert from the Tuileries Gardens, Paris, the first voyage made in a hydrogen balloon. After sending off a trial hydrogen balloon, Charles designed

Balloon ascent, Champ de Mars, Paris
Balloon ascent by Montgolfier, d Anonai and Vivarais from the Champ de Mars, Paris. 27 August 1783

Satirical ballooning image
A rude satirical image of large and small balloons tied together, lifting a cannon, entitled The Montgolsier. A first rate of the French Aerial Navy. A Fart, an Ass, a Fool, A Monkey, a Nothing. 1783

Tollymore Barbican Gate
The Barbican Gate entrance to Tollymore Forest Park, near Newcastle, County Down, Northern Ireland. It was built by Lord James Limerick as the eastern entrance to the park. Date: 1780s

Her Royal Highness, Princess Royal and her four sisters
Morning Amusements -- Charlotte, Princess Royal (1766-1828), and her four sisters (Augusta Sophia, Elizabeth, Mary, Sophia), all daughters of King George III

Abraham purchasing cave for a burial place
Abraham purchasing the Cave of Machpelah for a burial place - Thomas Bankes Bible, Genesis 23.16. 1787

Brochure cover, W Barratt & Co Ltd, Northampton
Brochure cover design, W Barratt & Co Ltd, Northampton, advertising Footshape boots by post. Depicting an 18th century scene with a coach and horses and a road sign: Boots by Post in 1780

Angel commanding Hagar to return to Sarah
The Angel of the Lord commanding Hagar to return to her mistress Sarah - Thomas Bankes Bible, Genesis 16.9. 1787

Theatre Royal, Covent Garden Handbill
Theatre Royal Handbill advertising the Marriage of Figaro and Virtues Triumph. Date: January 13th 1785

Tollymore Entrance Gate
The Main Entrance Gates to Tollymore Forest Park, near Newcastle, County Down, Northern Ireland. It was built for Lord James Limerick. Date: 1780s

Sea fight with the Mahrattas (Maratha sailors), who captured the East India Company ship Ranger on 5 (or 8) April 1783, an action which went against the Treaty of Salbai which had ended the First

Patrick Miller, the first steam engine boat, 1788. 1788

Jonathan Thatcher riding cow to Stockport Market
Jonathan Thatcher rode his cow to Stockport Market on 27 November 1784 in defiance of Pitts Horse Tax. 1784

Admiral Rodney defeats French navy, Battle of the Saintes
Admiral Rodney defeats the French navy, Battle of the Saintes (Dominica), American War of Independence, 9-12 April 1782 Date: 1782

French Revolution, Attack on the Bastille, Paris Date: 1789

The Bird of Paradise and Colonel Witwou'd, - actress and courtesan Gertrude Mahon (nee Tilson) and George Bodens, Gentleman Usher to the King Date: 1781

The Abandoned Wife and The Seducing Captain Date: 1781

The Subtle Seducer and The American Financier, Richard Price
The Subtle Seducer and The American Financier - Richard Price, British philosopher, nonconformist minister, mathematician, supporter of American independence

Captain William Bentinck, RN, by George Romney
Captain William Bentinck, RN (1764-1813), portrait by George Romney Date: 1787-1788

George Washington by Charles Willson Peale
Portrait of George Washington by Charles Willson Peale, commissioned by the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania. After painting the original version

Young Joseph Grimaldi falling into orchestra pit
The young Joseph Grimaldi as a boy, falling into the orchestra pit in the role of a monkey. The clown on stage is his father, who had swung him on a chain as part of the performance

Young Joseph Grimaldi going to visit his godfather Date: circa 1780s

Signing the Treaty of Paris (Peace of Paris) between Great Britain, France and Spain, 20 January 1783, part of the set of treaties which ended the American Revolutionary War. Date: 1783

Stone Bridge, Chelmsford, Essex, built circa 1780 Date: circa 1950

The Racehorse Eclipse
Reproduction of a painting by George Stubbs (1724-1806) of the racehorse Eclipse (1764-1789). Eclipse was an undefeated thoroughbred who won 18 races and went on to become a successful sire

The Gordon Riots, street scene Date: 1780

George III and Royal Family viewing RA exhibition
George III and the Royal Family viewing the Exhibition of the Royal Academy of Arts, 1788 Date: 1788

Original marine steam engine invented by Symington
The original marine steam engine invented by William Symington, 1787, placed on the deck of a pleasure boat, producing a speed of five miles per hour. Date: 1787

Convict ship Guardian Frigate wrecked on an island of ice
Convict ship the Guardian Frigate wrecked on an island of ice, 23 December 1789 Date: 1789

Constantia, after a painting by George Morland Date: circa 1788

The Road Engine, built by Richard Trevithick from an idea by William Murdock Date: 1786

Delia in Town, painted by George Morland
Delia in Town, painting by George Morland, engraved by J.R. Smith Date: 1788

Mrs. Wilbraham, painting by D. Gardner, engraved by Thomas Watson, 1780 Date: 1780

Mrs. Crewe, painting by D. Gardner, engraved by Thomas Watson, 1780 Date: 1780

Westminster Abbey, London, The Handel Festival
Westminster Abbey, London, for The Handel Festival, Commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the composer's death, with five concerts including Messiah, 26 May to 5 June 1784. Date: 1784

Huts and Boat House, Hawaii, Pacific Date: 1785

Ball at St James's Palace, London on the celebration of Queen Charlotte's Birthday, 9 February 1786. Date: 1786

Picture auction, Hotel Bullion, Paris
Picture auction at the Hotel Bullion, Paris. Date: 1785

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