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'
Scope and Contents
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).
Dates
- Creation: 5 June 1787
Creator
Language of Materials
English
Extent
1 letter
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Acquired November 2015. Accession no: E2015.86.
- Title
- 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'
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379
heritagecollections@ed.ac.uk