Thomas Rowlandson "Tours of Dr. Syntax" hand coloured etchings (1812-1850s) Third tour: in Search of a Wife

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Thomas Rowlandson

Watercolour painter, illustrator and social carcicaturist.

He was born in London in 1756, the son of a bankrupt merchant and was educated at Dr. Barrow's School and at the RA Schools, which he entered in 1772.

He made visits to Paris in 1774 and 1777 to visit relatives and the rococo delicacy of his pen and wash drawings probably owes something to this French connection.

Rowlandson hereafter made extensive journeys on the Continent to France, Italy, Germany and Holland and in Great Britain, filling notebooks with a mixture of grotesque humanity and sylvan ideal landscapes. He often travelled with other caricaturists, notably, J. Wigstead and J. Nixon. His work is always tinted pen drawings rather than full-scale watercolour, but he changed his humorous style to do drawings after the Old Masters and figures reminiscent of Thomas Gainesborough.

He was one of the major caricaturists to become an extensive book illustrator, particularly in his work for Ackermann from 1798, in The Tours of Dr. Syntax, and The Microcosm of London in 1808.

In later life, Rowlandson's quality of work tailed off, a not surprising feature of someone who was a gambler, dissolute and naturally lazy. The later drawings often show a sloppiness and lack of interest in the subject and as countless versions of one subject exist this is not wholly surprising.

He died in London in 1827.

(from The Dictionary of British Book Illustrators and Caricaturists, 1800-1914 by Simon Houfe)

Rowlandson Portrait

Thomas Rowlandson
(1756-1827)
Pencil sketch by George Henry Harlow, 1814

The Tours of Dr. Syntax
Written by William Combe with illustrations by Thomas Rowlandson

Original hand-coloured aquatint etchings between 165-210 years old!
From various editions between 1812 through circa 1855.

The Tours of Dr. Syntax were published many times over a period of about 80 years. Due to the nature of aquatint etchings, the plates were worn down over the years. Thus, the earlier prints, with much more detail and finer hand-colouring are generally more sought after. Our collection has etchings from the earlier editions as well as the later. Generally, the earlier edition prints will be more valuable than the later prints with less detail and more garish colouring. Below are the offerings from Darvill's Rare Prints' large collection of Dr. Syntax prints.

The sheet size of most the etchings is approximately 5.5 x 9 inches, though this does vary by edition.

The Third Tour of Dr. Syntax
Dr. Syntax in Search of A Wife

Doctor Syntax Soliloquising

Probably a later impression. Repaired tear in upper margin, light foxing

$35

Doctor Syntax Turns Nurse

Probably a later impression. Light foxing

$35

The Banns Forbidden

Probably an early impression. Foxing in lower image and margin.

$45

The Banns Forbidden

Probably a slightly later impression.

$45

The Banns Forbidden

Probably a later impression.

$35

The Cellar Quartetto

Probably a later impression.

$45

The Billiard Table

Probably a later impression.

$45

Misfortune at Tulip Hall

Probably an early impression. Somewhat narrow top margin.

$55

Misfortune at Tulip Hall

Probably a slightly later impression.

The Harvest Home

Probably an early impression. Tear/crinkle through center of print, reinforced on back with archival tape.

$20

The Harvest Home

Probably a later impression. A few light fox marks.

$35

Dr. Syntax at a Card Party

Probably a slightly later impression.
NOTE the surface/paint loss on the right side of the arch.

$20

Syntax Star-gazing

Probably a slightly later impression.
NOTE: this print was previously framed and is still taped to a lightweight paper mount/mat. There are also a few tiny punctures, virtually invisible.

$20

Syntax Star-gazing

Probably a slightly later impression. Light foxing upper margin.

$35

Dr. Syntax received by the Maid instead of the Mistress

Probably an early impression, but with muted colours. Foxing around edges.

$40

Dr. Syntax received by the Maid instead of the Mistress

Probably a slightly later impression. Mild grubbiness in right margin.

$40

Dr. Syntax received by the Maid instead of the Mistress

Probably a later impression. Mild foxing.

$30

The Artist's Room

Probably a later impression. Mild foxing.

Death of Punch

Probably an early impression. Minor foxing.

$40

Death of Punch

Probably a slightly later impression.

$40

Death of Punch

Probably a later impression.

$30

The Advertisment for a Wife

Probably a later impression.

$40

Dr. Syntax and the Foundling

Probably an early impression. Minor foxing and very narrow top margin.

$50

Dr. Syntax and the Foundling

Probably a slightly later impression. Somewhat narrow lower margin.

$40

Dr. Syntax and the Foundling

Probably a later impression. Somewhat narrow lower margin.

$30

The Result of Purchasing a Blind Horse

Probably an early impression. Hinging tape on BACK TOP of print and mild toning around image suggest that the print was mounted/matted for display at some point, but is still in fresh condition. Narrow bottom margin.

$50