[Thornton, Robert John

Large folio (575 x 455mm.), 29 (of 31) plates engraved in aquatint, mezzotint, stipple or line by Caldwell, Stadler, Earlom Warner and others, after Henderson, Reinagle and others, printed in colours and finished by hand, most plates in Buchanan’s second or third state (other than those found in one state only), contemporary olive straight-grained morocco gilt, without the first two allegorical plates, plate 21 (superb lily) split along plate line, binding rubbed

Dunthorne 301; Great Flower Books, p.77; Grigson and Buchanan, Thornton’s Temple of Flora (1951); Nissen BBI 1955; Stafleu TL2 14.283

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This is known as the “lottery” issue, from the method used by Thornton between 1811 and 1813 to extricate himself from financial difficulty. Two hundred portfolios of the plates from The Temple of Flora without text were offered as third prize. They are here watermarked from 1804 to 1810, but the plate of the queen flower is dated 1812. Using Buchanan’s numbers, the 29 plates are as follows: 3–8 9A, 10, 11A, 12A, 13, 14B, 15–23, 24A, 35–31.