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The life and works of John Cooke Bourne

Introduction

This online exhibition will explore the work and influence of the artist and engraver John Cooke Bourne, (1814-96).

John Cooke Bourne is best known for his lithographic railway work produced as bookplates for the London & Birmingham Railway in 1838 and the Great Western Railway in 1843. However, Bourne did not limit his subject matter to the railways. Other bookplates depicted "The History of Steam Navigation" with text by Bennet Woodcroft and "Illustrations of Cairo" with text by Robert Hay. He also worked on drawings of the road bridge across the Dnieper in Kiev, Ukraine, for the engineer Charles Vignoles.

A frontispiece illustration

A frontispiece illustration taken from "The History and Description of the Great Western Railway" by JC Bourne. It depicts the 2-2-2 locomotive "Archeron" emerging from a tunnel near Bristol. In the scene, the huge broadgauge locomotive towers over the onlookers. © Science & Society Picture Library

Although much of Bourne's work has been recorded and researched, there are periods during which little or no material seemed to be produced. Currently the National Railway Museum is undertaking research into the artist's life, in order to unearth any other works yet to be discovered.

A Watercolour of the construction of the London and Birmingham Railway

A Watercolour of the construction of the London and Birmingham Railway.

It shows a view of Primrose Hill Tunnel, London, with a horse drawn wagon carrying stone blocks in the middle distance. © Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust