18th century Royal warrant commanding the preparation of letters patent granting Robert Barker use for fourteen years of his invention 'La nature a coup d'oeil ... for displaying views of nature ... by oil painting', or 'panorama'
- Reference:GB 237 Coll-1692
- Dates of Creation:1787
- Name of Creator:
- Language of Material:English
- Physical Description:1 letter
Scope and Content
This document is of significant interest as a record of the invention of what became one of the most popular forms of public entertainment in the first half of the 19th century.
It is a Warrant signed by George III commanding the preparation of letters patent granting to Robert Barker the sole use for fourteen years of his invention of 'an entire new contrivance or apparatus which he calls la nature a coup d'oeil for the purpose of displaying views of nature at large by oil painting'.
The document is issued at St. James's [London] 5 June 1787. Ink on paper, 3p. on bifolium, final page with contemporary ms docket title, first page with signature of George III penned at head and embossed tax stamp in margin, third page with signature 'Sydney' being that of Thomas Thownshend, 1st Viscount Sydney (1733-1800).
Access Information
Access should be unrestricted but please check in advance of any consultation.
Acquisition Information
Acquired November 2015. Accession no: E2015.86.
Related Material
Also within Special Collections, Centre for Research Collections are the following 'panorama' related items:
Coll-1092: 'Panorama of Edinburgh from Calton Hill'
Coll-1101: 'Panoramic scene of the field of Battle, near Waterloo ... for the Panorama, Leicester Square '
Coll-1709h : Coloured Panorama of Edinburgh There are also numerous descriptions of panoramas contained in the Library Catalogue.Subjects
Personal Names