[ALBUM OF NINETEEN MOUNTED WATERCOLOR DRAWINGS OF THE FLORA AND LANDSCAPE OF TRINIDAD, MOST INITIALLED "R.H.G." ON MOUNT]

Book Description

Trinidad. 1866-1870.. Nineteen watercolors mounted on recto of sixteen leaves. Large folio. Antique style half calf and marbled boards, retaining original gilt leather label from original album on front cover. Fine. A wonderful album of watercolors by Rachel Gordon depicting the native flora of Trinidad, also including Gordon's portrait of a woman and three landscapes by Gordon's sister, Madeleine Shaw Lefevre. Most of the watercolors are signed on later mounts, "R.H.G." Rachel Gordon (d. 1889) was the wife of the British governor of Trinidad, Arthur Gordon, and lived on the island during his tenure there from 1866 to 1870. She was the eldest daughter of John George Shaw- Lefevre, and married Arthur Gordon (1829- 1912) in 1865, just prior to his appointment to the post in Trinidad. As part of their duties, the Gordons played host to numerous British travellers who visited the island. One of the most prominent visitors was Charles Kingsley, author of AT LAST: A CHRISTMAS IN THE WEST INDIES. In fact, Kingsley dedicated AT LAST... to Arthur Gordon, and one of the watercolors included in this album, Rachel Gordon's "Cacao" (item 16 below), is included as an illustration in Kingsley's book. These charming drawings were created by Rachel Gordon in the years that she and Arthur Gordon lived in Trinidad. The majority of the watercolors depict the splendorous flora of Trinidad and are by Lady Gordon, though the first item in the album shows what appears to be a servant woman of Asian descent. Mrs. Gordon and her sister were talented amateur artists, and the illustrations are all brightly colored and quite accomplished. The Baron von Hugel described Lady Gordon in his MEMOIRS OF FIGI (1875) as "nice, though rather wool-gathering and abstracted. She certainly is handsome, tall full bust, dark hair tinged grey and pronounced features." Also important are the three drawings by Madeleine Shaw Lefevre, Rachel's sister. These drawings (items 2, 3, and 4 below) show the mountains, trees, and waters of the island, as well as a large lizard. The album contains a portrait and three general landscapes of Trinidad, followed by fifteen watercolors of native flowers and fruits. A lovely and extensive album from one of the less well known Caribbean islands. The watercolors are as follow: 1) "Annai, Orange Grove, Aug. 1867." A portrait of a woman with slightly Asian features and wearing an Asian-style frock, with her hair pulled back in a bun held by what appear to be chopsticks. "Annai" may have been a servant that the Gordons brought with them to Trinidad. The portrait is signed R.H.G. on the drawing, and described on the mount as "Done in Trinidad. Lady Gordon, 1867." 10 3/4 x 7 3/4 inches. 2) "The Savannah. Port of Spain. Trinidad. by Madeleine Shaw Lefevre 1867." This landscape shows a grassy plain with trees and mountains in the distance. 5 x 14 1/2 inches. 3) Untitled scenic view overlooking a bay. Signed "Trinidad. 1867. Miss Madeleine Shaw Lefevre." 7 x 10 inches. 4) Untitled watercolor of a lizard. Signed "Miss Madeleine Shaw Lefevre." 6 x 11 1/4 inches. This and the previous illustration are mounted on the same leaf. 5) "Gardenia & Ixoria." RHG. 9 3/4 x 7 1/2 inches. 6) Untitled still-life of flowers. "Trinidad 1868. R.H.G." 10 x 14 1/4 inches. 7) "Pefrea Volubilis. Trinidad. RHG." 10 1/4 x 8 1/4 inches. 8) "Cashew. Trinidad. RHG." 11 x 7 1/2 inches. 9) "Bon Chataigne. Trinidad. RHG." 14 3/4 x 10 3/4 inches. 10) "Poinciana. Trinidad. RHG." 10 1/2 x 7 3/4 inches. 11) "Tea. Flower of Tea. Trinidad. 1868. RHG." 12 1/2 x 9 1/2 inches. 12) "Frangipani. RHG." 9 1/4 x 7 inches. 13) Untitled watercolor of flowers. 6 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches. This and the previous illustration are mounted on the same leaf. 14) "Changeable Rose. Trinidad. RHG." 12 1/2 x 10 inches. 15) "Jocaranda. Trinidad. RHG." 10 1/4 x 7 1/2 inches. 16) "Cacao. Trinidad. RHG." 9 1/2 x 14 1/2 inches. 17) "Cannon Ball Tree." Trinidad. 1868. 9 3/4 x 7 1/4 inches. 18) "Cannon Ball Tree." 7 x 10 1/2 inches. Another, from a different perspective. This and the previous illustration are mounted on the same leaf. 19) Untitled plant still-life. "Trinidad. RHG." 14 1/2 x 8 inches.

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