John Vine

original photograph in black/ white

23.01 x 34.49 cm

Jun 18, 2015 • Bernaerts

black and white photograph

23.01 x 34.49 cm

Oct 23, 2014 • Bernaerts

handcoloured engravings

45.59 x 63.5 cm

Jul 11, 2007 • Christie's

an important record of one of the world's foremost historical documents, pine's exact copy of the magna carta, "this plate being a correct copy of king john's great charter". there are 2 surviving examples of the 1215 magna carta in the british library, the example gifted by cotton to form the new british library was damaged by a fire at ashburnham house, near the houses of parliament in october 1731, the sides curling and the seal melting (as shown in this engraving), although the text was readable. in december 1731 a transcription was made by the commissioners, and pine was engaged by the cottonian library to accurately preserve the words of this great document for posterity. the first impressions of this engraving were printed on vellum, and then copies were issued on paper. john pine (1690-1756) was an accomplished engraver in london. he was a close friend of hogarth, and in 1743 became the kings engraver of seals, and bluemantle pursuivant of arms.

67.5 x 53 cm

• Bonhams