Archibald Thorburn: Artist and Illustrator   |   The Prints and Proofs 1889 - 1934  |  Waters, D. (2009)

During his career Thorburn and his publishers produced a large number of prints, 203 are listed in this catalogue and it is the main purpose of this book to offer the reader insight into some of the best works Thorburn produced.  Whether the reader is an ardent Thorburn collector or has a general interest in countryside pursuits and bird watching, this book contains some of the best images ever produced by a British artist.

As the author and an obsessive collector of Thorburn?s work, I have great pleasure in sharing these images through this book.  I am not an artist and would not attempt to offer a critique of his work, or comparison with other wildlife artists, but in my opinion he is the best of his genre.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this project and the daunting and perhaps insurmountable challenge of attempting to write some text that would be worthy of standing alongside Thorburn?s very impressive images, which in some ways, might have been similar to his challenge back in 1915 when he started to write his own books.

I was already in awe of Thorburn?s work and in a strange way, the writing of this book has elevated my opinion to an even higher level of respect.  Over half the prints are greater than 100 years old and the quality of the etchings, engravings (including the great skill of their production) and collotype images, are in my opinion, orders of magnitude better than can be achieved with modern printing processes.  Just imagine Thorburn sitting down to pencil sign these images to create the artists proofs, especially those that possessed the Printsellers Association and Fine Art Trade Guild embossed stamps of approval, he must have felt a very proud man.

Published by Langford Press - March 2009.

If you would like to order a copy please send your details to enquiries@archibaldthorburn.org and you will be notified when the book will be ready for shipping.

Trade Edition - £38.  Limited Edition - (to 205 numbered copies) £200
(N.B. Limited Edition to include additional thumbnail image Annex and print loosely bound (i.e. 'Home of the Golden Eagle').