- This event has passed.
Event Navigation
The George Brannon Vectis Scenery Prints Exhibition
22nd - 23rd October £3.00 - £25.00
Ticket update: Online ticketing has now closed for this event. Please pay at the admission point fr entry.
Join us at Northwood House for this rare and fascinating chance to view an exhibition of over 230 iconic Isle of Wight original prints by George Brannon, the eminent artist, engraver and print maker collected by Island historian Ken Hicks. Between 1820 and 1862, Brannon captured the Island’s beautiful scenery and famous landmarks through the Georgian and Victorian periods.
We believe this is the most comprehensive collection of prints and engravings ever assembled showing well-known Island locations including local towns, villages and beauty spots, many of which are still very recognisable today.
The collection provides a fantastic insight into Island life some 200 years ago. During Brannon’s lifetime the handmade prints were sometimes sold individually but most were bound in yearly editions of Brannon’s popular book “Vectis Scenery”, first was published in 1821. This was a hugely popular publication through most of the 19th Century and has been referred to as the Island’s first tourist and souvenir guidebook due to the comprehensive illustrations and maps providing visitors with a unique piece of memorabilia in the age before photography.
The exhibition also features eleven original Brannon printing plates as well as some of his original engraving tools. Recent prints from some of these plates are also featured with a chance to order your own copy directly.
The exhibition is open on Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd October 2022 (10am-4pm) in the Northwood House Ballroom & Dining room, with collection experts on hands to take questions and provide additional insight where required. Northwood House will also be operating a tearoom with hot drinks, cakes and refreshments in the Drawing room.
General Admission (online tickets and on the door):
Admission to the exhibition is £6.00 on the door, with online pre-booked tickets available for £5.00 if purchased before the weekend from the bottom of this page.
An exhibition guidebook is also available for £3.00 if ordered in advance with an admission ticket (or £4.00 on the door), with all proceeds going to Northwood House Charitable Trust Company Ltd towards restoration funds.
Northwood House Members: £4.00
Students under 18 and university students with an ID Card: Free admission
Enhanced Admission:
Admission & cream tea £10.50 (with pre-booking discount)
Choose an arrival time and pre-book a cream tea in the Drawing Room to enjoy a pot of tea or coffee, two home-made scones, jam and clotted cream. Times available 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm either day. Times stated are for your sit down times for the cream tea, with time to enjoy the exhibition at leisure before or afterwards.
(Please note this pre-purchase option does not have alternatives for dietary intolerance & allergies etc, so do not order if this applies to you. There will be options available to purchase on the day though to cater for these requirements, thank you)
Printing demonstration and guided exhibition tour (12pm-2pm on both days) £15.00
A special chance to see prints being produced in real time from the original Brannon printing plates by fine art printer Karen Mead, followed by a personal guided tour of the exhibition by George Brannon historian Tim Wander.
Strictly limited numbers (20 only per session) and includes a complimentary hot drink on arrival and an exhibition guidebook.
