Temple of Fancy [trade advertisement]. Drawn by W. Derby and engraved in aquatint by Smart and Sutherland (London: S. & I. Fuller, ca. 1823).Graphic Arts Collection 2013- in process
According to the National Portrait Gallery’s wonderful directory of British Artists’ Suppliers, 1650-1950 (http://www.npg.org.uk/research/programmes/directory-of-suppliers/f.php), “Samuel Williams Fuller (c.1777-1857) and his brother Joseph Carr Fuller (c.1783-1863) advertised the opening of their shop in Rathbone Place in 1809, stating that they had been ‘many years with Mr. Edward Orme, New Bond-street’, the print dealer and publisher. …”
“The two brothers were partners in what became one of the leading print publishing businesses of Regency and early Victorian London, producing a number of print catalogues. … Their trade as artists’ colourmen was mainly in watercolours and drawing materials.”
“Their trade card, advertising the ‘Temple of Fancy’, c.1810, focused on the market in genteel products for ladies, … while a later three-page leaflet was aimed at male customers ….”
“A leaflet, apparently from the Lady’s Magazine, August 1823, depicted Fuller’s shop interior, and gives a good idea of the product range; the business was advertised as ‘Publishers of the greatest variety of Sporting Prints…/ TEMPLE OF FANCY/ S. & I. FULLER,/ PREPARERS OF PERMANENT SUPERFINE WATER COLOURS,/…/ Wholesale Manufacturers of Bristol Boards, Ivory Paper & Cards./ Engravers, Publishers, Printsellers, & Fancy Stationers.’”
Happily, a similar advertisement as been acquired by the Graphic Arts Collection, depicting the interior of the Temple of Fancy.
