Quills Collection

A porcupine
5312041 A porcupine; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a porcupine Porcupines are rodentian mammals with a coat of sharp spines, or quills, that protect against predators)

A porcupine
5312039 A porcupine; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a porcupine Porcupines are rodentian mammals with a coat of sharp spines, or quills, that protect against predators)

The Scholar at the Lectern (The Father of the Jewish Bride), 1641. Creator: Rembrandt van Rhijn (1606-1669)
The Scholar at the Lectern (The Father of the Jewish Bride), 1641. Found in the Collection of the Royal Castle, Warsaw

Portrait of a young man with a quill and a sheet of paper (Self-Portrait), c. 1527. Private Collection

Portrait of Auguste Gabriel Godefroy (A Child with a Teetotum), 1741. Creator: Chardin
Portrait of Auguste Gabriel Godefroy (A Child with a Teetotum), 1741. Found in the collection of the Museu de Arte de S£o Paulo

Baby porcupine in tree
Jim Cumming

William Morris in his library at Kelmscott House, Hammersmith, 1890s (b/w photo)
868258 William Morris in his library at Kelmscott House, Hammersmith, 1890s (b/w photo) by British Photographer, (19th century); William Morris Gallery, Walthamstow

Saint Jerome (oil on canvas)
868081 Saint Jerome (oil on canvas) by Mola, Pier Francesco (1612-66); Vatican Museums and Galleries, Vatican City; (add.info.: Saint Jerome (c. 347 - 30 September 420), priest

President Lincoln, writing the Proclamation of Freedom, January 1st, 1863, pub. 1864 (colour litho)
2646221 President Lincoln, writing the Proclamation of Freedom, January 1st, 1863, pub. 1864 (colour litho) by Blythe, David Gilmour (1815-65); Private Collection; (add.info)

King John signing the Magna Carta reluctantly (colour litho)
STC308521 King John signing the Magna Carta reluctantly (colour litho) by Michael, Arthur C. (d.1945) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: King John (1167-1216) signing the Magna Carta

The Purple and Gold Bird of Paradise (colour litho)
5210944 The Purple and Gold Bird of Paradise (colour litho) by Johnston, Harry Hamilton (1858-1927) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Purple and Gold Bird of Paradise)

Buy a new Almanac! Fine writing ink!, illustration of street sellers around
STC229783 Buy a new Almanac! Fine writing ink!, illustration of street sellers around 1675 (engraving) by English School, (17th century) (after)

The Late Charles Dickens, c. 1870 (engraving)
2563296 The Late Charles Dickens, c.1870 (engraving) by Unknown Artist, (19th century); 23x18 cm; Free Library of Philadelphia; (add.info.: Charles Dickens (7 February 1812 - 9 June 1870)

cartoon of Nadar, c. 1878 (hand-coloured engraving)
2646289 cartoon of Nadar, c. 1878 (hand-coloured engraving) by Gill, Andre (1840-85); Private Collection; (add.info.: Frontpage of french paper " Les hommes d Aujourd hui" november 1st)

Stationers, James Adams, trade card (engraving)
983999 Stationers, James Adams, trade card (engraving) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Stationers, James Adams)

Stationer and Bookseller, William Fenner, trade card (engraving)
983997 Stationer and Bookseller, William Fenner, trade card (engraving) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Stationer and Bookseller, William Fenner, trade card)

The Life of William Cobbett, witten by himself, published by Hannah Humphrey
2562167 The Life of William Cobbett, witten by himself, published by Hannah Humphrey, 1809 (hand-coloured engraving) by Gillray

Street garb of the stylish Philadelphia women photographed from life (b / w photo)
6002643 Street garb of the stylish Philadelphia women photographed from life (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Quills and Down, 1884 (oil on panel)
BAL56443 Quills and Down, 1884 (oil on panel) by Piltz, Otto (1864-1910); 54x66 cm; Josef Mensing Gallery, Hamm-Rhynern, Germany; German, out of copyright

Portrait of Lady Mary Stewart, wife of Kenneth Mackenzie, Lord Fortrose
CMO99993 Portrait of Lady Mary Stewart, wife of Kenneth Mackenzie, Lord Fortrose, 1749 (oil on canvas) by Ramsay, Allan (1713-84); 127x100.3 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

Nicholas Hardinge (engraving)
816487 Nicholas Hardinge (engraving) by Ramsay, Allan (1713-84) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Nicholas Hardinge (1700-1758), English clerk to the House of Commons

Feigned Letter Rack with Writing Implements, c. 1655 (oil on canvas)
873825 Feigned Letter Rack with Writing Implements, c.1655 (oil on canvas) by Hoogstraten, Samuel van (1627-78); 80.33 x67.95 cm; San Diego Museum of Art

Important Great Lakes pouch (quilled hide)
778888 Important Great Lakes pouch (quilled hide) by American School; length: 37 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Of trapezoidal form)

Portrait of Bernardino Spada (oil on canvas)
704435 Portrait of Bernardino Spada (oil on canvas) by Reni, Guido (1575-1642); Galleria Spada, Rome, Lazio, Italy; (add.info.: Bernardino Spada (1594-1661)

Michael Martin Harvey (b / w photo)
3102302 Michael Martin Harvey (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Michael Martin Harvey)

Daniel O Connell refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy, pub. Boston (colour litho)
1123838 Daniel O Connell refusing to take the Oath of Supremacy, pub. Boston (colour litho) by Frizzell, Samuel (1844-95) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Supporting each man on the top of the tide, from The Hunting of the Snark
1202324 Supporting each man on the top of the tide, from The Hunting of the Snark, an Agony in Eight Fits, by Lewis Carroll, pub

A Trompe l Oeil Letter Rack with Letters and a Medallion (oil on panel)
781578 A Trompe l Oeil Letter Rack with Letters and a Medallion (oil on panel) by Valette-Penot, Jean (1710-77); 66x51 cm; Private Collection; Photo eRafael Valls Gallery, London, UK; French

The Porcupine and the Snakes, from A Hundred Fables of Aesop, pub. 1903 (engraving)
3504511 The Porcupine and the Snakes, from A Hundred Fables of Aesop, pub.1903 (engraving) by Billingshurst, Percy J. (1871-1933); The Stapleton Collection; out of copyright

Christs Hospital School Prize for Penmanship, London, c. 1826 (silver gilt)
2959986 Christs Hospital School Prize for Penmanship, London, c.1826 (silver gilt) by English School, (19th century); Timothy Millett Collection; English, out of copyright

Three Cape / South African Porcupines, London Zoo, 1925 (b / w photo)
3260713 Three Cape/South African Porcupines, London Zoo, 1925 (b/w photo) by Bond, Frederick William (1887-1942); Zoological Society of London; eZoological Society of London; British, out of copyright

"Fine Writing Ink!"(engraving)
2794283 " Fine Writing Ink!" (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: " Fine Writing Ink)

Samuel Williams, c. 1817 (oil on canvas)
499629 Samuel Williams, c.1817 (oil on canvas) by Allston, Washington (1779-1843); 172.5x142.5 (framed) 142.2x111.8 (unframed) cm; Cleveland Museum of Art, OH

Steward, from a series entitled Country Characters, 1799 (etching with w / c)
XCF290988 Steward, from a series entitled Country Characters, 1799 (etching with w/c) by Rowlandson, Thomas (1756-1827); 23x17 cm; Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, CA, USA; English

King John signs the Great Charter, from A Chronicle of England BC 55 to AD 1485, pub
984750 King John signs the Great Charter, from A Chronicle of England BC 55 to AD 1485, pub. London, 1863 (colour litho) by Doyle

Lieutenant Governor Gall-Stone, inspired by Alecto, or The Birth of Minerva
2562213 Lieutenant Governor Gall-Stone, inspired by Alecto, or The Birth of Minerva, 1790 (hand-coloured etching) by Gillray

A Bailiff and an Attorney - A Match for the Devil, c
1630657 A Bailiff and an Attorney - A Match for the Devil, c.1780, printed and sold by Carington Bowles, 1793 (hand-coloured mezzotint) by English School

King John Signing Magna Carta, from The Comic History of England, pub
3075747 King John Signing Magna Carta, from The Comic History of England, pub. 1864 (hand coloured etching) by Leech, John (1817-64); Private Collection; (add.info)

Child dressed as a judge (colour litho)
3096179 Child dressed as a judge (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Child dressed as a judge)

Porcupine with Apple
Jim Cumming

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"Quills: A Timeless Tool of Expression and Power" From the elegant strokes of Sir Henry Irving's pen in 1880 to the intricate details captured by John Fletcher's brush on oak panel in the early 17th century, they have long been a symbol of creativity and intellect. In William Morris' library at Kelmscott House, Hammersmith, during the 1890s, a black and white photograph immortalizes his scholarly pursuits with a quill in hand. The image speaks volumes about the importance of these feathered instruments in literary circles. Samuel Richardson's portrait from 1754 showcases him holding a delicate quill over copper canvas, embodying his role as one of England's greatest novelists. Similarly, Saint Jerome is depicted engrossed in writing with a quill on canvas – an emblematic representation of religious devotion and scholarship. Thomas Paine's oil painting from around 1791 captures him deep in thought while wielding a quill; it serves as a reminder that words penned with conviction can shape nations. Frederick North and Warren Hastings are also portrayed using their pens to navigate political landscapes during their respective eras. Catharine Macaulay's captivating portrait circa 1775 shows her poised with a quill, challenging societal norms through her writings on history and politics. President Lincoln himself is seen diligently crafting the Proclamation of Freedom using this timeless tool; an iconic moment etched into history forever. Even King John reluctantly signing the Magna Carta understood that no document held more power than one written with ink flowing from a noble bird’s feather. And who could forget The Purple and Gold Bird of Paradise lithograph? Its vibrant colors remind us that even nature itself celebrates the beauty found within each stroke made by these remarkable implements. Through centuries past to present day, whether used for artistry or diplomacy, literature or legislation - they have left indelible marks on our collective history.