Gordon
Aug 10 2006, 04:50 AM
Have you got them then?
AJR
Aug 10 2006, 05:11 AM
Gordon
Aug 10 2006, 05:14 AM
You lucky lucky man, enjoy them.
AJR
Aug 10 2006, 05:57 AM
The detail on these is fantastic.
Maybole Castle and Tolbooth (Image area 204mm x 154mm)
Click to view attachmentNewark Castle (Image area 218mm x 165mm)
Click to view attachmentNewark Castle - Courtyard (Image area 231mm x 162mm)
Click to view attachmentMidmar Castle (Image area 209mm x 162mm)
Click to view attachmentMidmar Castle - Courtyard (Image area 213mm x 167mm)
Click to view attachment
Gordon
Aug 10 2006, 06:22 AM
QUOTE
The detail on these is fantastic.
Yup, so do we have a convert to Billings?
They are superb.
AJR
Aug 10 2006, 06:34 AM
Convert? Don't think I was ever against. They ARE good though.
Gordon
Aug 10 2006, 07:55 AM
..not quite what I meant, just wondered if Billings had a new fan!
When I get my study back......
Unfortunately Billings wouldn't quite fit in with our colour scheme...if you get my drift....but for some reason a set of shark's teeth do...??????????
Don't worry, it's only a smallish set from a Porbeagle, and well out of reach!
I love his prints so will have to wait until I have my own space to hang them safely out of reach of my own little Taz impersonator.
AJR
Aug 10 2006, 08:15 AM
Definitely a fan.

However, the Buck brothers still win hands down in my opinion. Different era though, and different style.
Gordon
Aug 10 2006, 10:07 AM
Definitely different! Bucks are nice, but Billings are top of the league.
Duncan
Aug 11 2006, 09:26 PM
can't argue with that!! definitely the tops in that league
AJR
Aug 29 2006, 02:30 AM
Seen the Melrose Abbey set for sale on e-Bay. No, I won't be buying these. They're not of a castle.
Gordon
Aug 29 2006, 02:37 AM
No I wouldn't either, but they are still beautiful drawings.
Found one of Spynie Palace.
Gordon
Sep 6 2006, 01:08 PM
Now that one is different quality!
A small image of Noltland Castle.
Gordon
Sep 8 2006, 05:54 AM
That's a good one too, but then I like all his drawings. Some just seem to stand out.
Duncan
Sep 8 2006, 12:28 PM
Does any one have a sketch of this one when it was complete or maybe the floor plans?
Is it in Mc G and R?
Gordon
Sep 8 2006, 03:18 PM
AJR
Sep 11 2006, 04:09 AM
St Saviour's Church - East Front.
AJR
Sep 18 2006, 07:56 AM
I have just added 7 more Billings' prints to my collection.
Castle Stuart - NW view (Image area 215mm x 164mm)
Click to view attachmentCastle Stuart - SE view (Image area 205mm x 160mm)
Click to view attachmentMaybole Castle (Image area 206mm x 155mm)
Click to view attachmentUdny Castle (Image area 207mm x 151mm)
Click to view attachmentTolquhon Castle (Image area 228mm x 167mm)
Click to view attachmentTantallon Castle (Image area 229mm x 159mm)
Click to view attachmentTantallon Castle - Courtyard (Image area 245mm x 165mm)
Click to view attachment
Gordon
Sep 18 2006, 02:39 PM
Unsurprisingly, Maybole is no longer so rural.
Superb images, thank you.
Gordon
Sep 19 2006, 08:55 AM
AJR
Sep 19 2006, 08:58 AM
Great - particularly the one of Glamis.
Gordon
Sep 20 2006, 04:44 AM
AJR
Sep 20 2006, 05:30 AM
All looking good Gordon. At this rate, we may have the largest number of Billings images in one place, anywhere on the internet.
Do you know how many he did (or have I asked that question before)?
Gordon
Sep 20 2006, 05:42 AM
In answer to both questions, I have no idea!
AJR
Sep 25 2006, 08:49 AM
There are a couple more for sale on e-Bay, starting at £8 each. Given that I got mine at about £1 each, I definitely got the bargain.
Anyhow, these new ones are (and sadly) of poor quality : -
Jedburgh Abbey
Click to view attachmentLincluden College
Click to view attachmentLinlithgow Palace (different from the earlier one shown)
Click to view attachment
Duncan
Sep 25 2006, 09:12 AM
Interesting, too bad the sellers can't do a better job of scanning
AJR
Sep 27 2006, 07:47 AM
I came across some hand-coloured images.
Cawdor Castle
Click to view attachmentCastle Campbell
Click to view attachmentI definitely prefer the b/w ones.
Gordon
Sep 27 2006, 08:13 AM
Me too.
Gordon
Sep 28 2006, 03:54 AM
AJR
Sep 28 2006, 06:01 AM
We're building up quite a collection here. Thanks Gordon.
AJR
Sep 29 2006, 08:09 AM
Gordon
Sep 29 2006, 04:11 PM
He certainly seems to have been more prolific and more widely travelled than I thought
AJR
Oct 16 2006, 09:15 AM
Lindisfarne Priory
AJR
Oct 30 2006, 10:50 AM
The Chapel of Sherburn Hospital, County Durham.
Gordon
Oct 30 2006, 11:17 AM
I like his watercolours, but for me the B&W's are striking, the colour is less eye catching.
AJR
Oct 31 2006, 06:52 AM
AJR
Oct 31 2006, 06:54 AM
Stirling Palace
Another one - different view of Durham Cathedral.
Gordon
Nov 3 2006, 11:58 AM
I like them all, but Stirling and Paisley are of particular interest, and the Stirling one has that ??? quality that attracts the eye.
I found two images of Glasgow Cathedral by Billings.
I also found two images of Dunblane Cathedral.
Gordon
Nov 8 2006, 02:59 AM
Nice.
MaggyMay
Dec 20 2006, 12:29 PM
Hello Gordon and AJR. I was delighted to come across this forum as this thread has a special interest for me, but from another side of the fence. I'm tracing my family history and have 3 generations of engravers, one being John Godfrey. my 3rd great grandfather. You'll note John Godfrey's name on several of the engravings you've both displayed. He did many of Billings' paintings and I suspect some of the images that are cropped not showing the engraver's name, could be his as well. Over the past 4 years, our family has been compiling an index of John Godfrey's works.
Gordon
Dec 20 2006, 01:41 PM
An excellent project, and if you've read all the thread you'll realise that we'd like to be able to do that for Billings. Perhaps if you come across images which could add to our wee list you could upload them.
At the moment I'm absorbed by Daniell, mentioned in the Scottish Books thread. But Billings is a firm favourite. If only some publisher out there would do a facsimilie edition of his book we'd all be saved a lot of searching.
Here's a link or two which might interest you,
http://www.gac.culture.gov.uk/search/Objec...bject_key=24678http://www.geocities.com/nswphoto/godfrey.html
AJR
Dec 21 2006, 08:47 AM
It sounds as though there will be plenty to keep you busy for a good number of years. Keep us posted.
I've come across a number of Billings' prints for sale on e-Bay - all of churches from County Durham. For MaggyMay's benefit, none of these were engraved by J. Godfrey.
Click to view attachmentBillingham Church
Click to view attachmentBishop Auckland Church
Click to view attachmentBoldon Church
Click to view attachmentBrancepeth Church
Click to view attachmentConiscliffe Church
Click to view attachmentDalton Le Dale Church
Click to view attachmentHeighington Church
Click to view attachmentJarrow Church
Click to view attachment Click to view attachmentTwo of Lanchaster Church
Click to view attachmentStaindrop Church (different to one posted earlier)
Found that Billings did two interior views of Wintoun House, as well as the external one. From www.antiqueprints.co.uk. J.Godfrey engraved the exterior view, but not the interior ones.
AJR
Jan 18 2007, 04:49 AM
An image of Hartlepool Church, Durham, by Billings.
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