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Robert Taylor Pritchett (1828-1907)

Robert Taylor Pritchett began his working life as a gun maker but he went on to be an expert on ancient armour, to be on the staff of Punch, to exhibit four times at the Royal Academy, to sail round the world between 1883-85, to illustrate many books including Darwin's 'Voyage of the Beagle' in 1890 and to be a watercolour artist of note favoured by Queen Victoria.

In the 1860s Pritchett and his family moved to Esher. In 1868 he produced 36 pen and ink sketches of Esher and Esher Place, which were purchased by Elmbridge Borough Council in 1985. They provide a unique record of Esher. The drawings are characterised by a draughtsman's precision such as in the Family Pew (New Church), the Boathouse and the Lodges and a loving record of domestic detail and human warmth as seen in Old Shepherd (Bedo Philpot).

Browse a selection of objects in our collection relating to Robert Pritchett below.