A botanical album containing 48 watercolor paintings created by Mary Parker, Countess of Macclesfield, in the 18th century.

Mary Parker, Countess of Macclesfield (approximately 1726-1812) was born in Hursley, Hampshire, the daughter of Sir William Heathcote, 1st Baronet, and Lady Elizabeth Parker. On December 12, 1749, Mary Parker married her first cousin, Thomas Parker, 3rd Earl of Macclesfield (1723-1795); together they had two sons and a daughter, Lady Elizabeth Parker (1751-1829). Thomas Parker was a politician and Fellow of the Royal Society. The Macclesfield family seat is Shirburn Castle, Watlington, Oxfordshire. Mary Parker, and her daughter Elizabeth, were taught botanical drawing by German Georg Ehret (1807-1770), the pre-eminent botanical draughtsman of the eighteenth century and former head of Oxford Botanical Garden. In the eighteenth century, botanical illustration was deemed essential education for aristocratic women and both women became expert amateurs. Mary Parker died on May 20, 1812.

0.83 Linear Feet (1 volume, accompanying material)

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