John Lucas :The Birth-Place of the Locomotive. Killingworth. George Stephenson

Description

JOHN LUCAS
The Birth-Place of the Locomotive. Killingworth Colliery. [Stephenson family]
Perfect for train enthusiasts
And model train people and builders
Engraving with hand color, 1862.
Image size 24 13/16 x 21 1/2" (629 x 544 mm).
comes with a beautiful frame
Engraving 'The Birth-Place of the Locomotive', by John Lucas, 1862
MADE: 1862-08-30 in LondonENGRAVER: Francis Holl PUBLISHER: Henry Graves and Company ARTIST: John Lucas
Engraving. 'The Birth-Place of the Locomotive'. Killingworth Colliery. Painted by John Lucas. Engraved by F Holl & C Mottram. Published by Henry Graves and Co, Publishers to the Queen, 6 Pall Mall, London.
Text under image: “It represents George Stephenson's Cottage and the Colliery wherein he was many years employed, during which time he devoted his powerful mind to the construction of the Locomotive Engine and the Railway on which it runs. In the distance is seen the North-Eastern Line to Scotland thus shewing the commencement and development of the mighty railway system which, with unparalleled rapidity, has induced the most wonderful effects, not only for this country but for the world.“ “In the foreground of the Picture the Villagers are supposed to be discussing the work of George Stephenson (amongst others his invention of the 'Geordy' Lamp), suggested to them by perusal of a brief history of his life, recorded in one of the periodicals of the present time."
In the foreground a lady reads 'The London Journal' which shows a large picture of C. Stephenson (text under image) under the heading.
18th-19th Century Subjects , Locomotives & RailroadsIt was commissioned by Robert Stephenson and painted after George's death. It depicts a fictional meeting between his parents (standing, background) and his first wife Fanny (seated, left), the mother of Robert, and a daughter (standing, left) who died in infancy. Fanny died from tuberculosis in 1805, shortly after her daughter. Following their deaths, Stephenson left the North East for a while to work in Scotland, leaving Robert in the charge of a housekeeper.
In the foreground is Elizabeth, George's second wife. She was a farmer's daughter, and George's first love, but they had been forbidden to marry because of George's lowly status. Elizabeth vowed never to marry another, and kept her promise, eventually marrying George twenty years later.
One of the turning points of Stephenson's career was his appointment at the age of 31 as an enginewright based at Killingworth Colliery, but working at a number of different pits. This gave him a salary of £100 per year, and the time and opportunity to develop his interest in locomotives. It also meant that he had money to provide Robert with the education he never had.