Böcker i Collector's Reference Library-serien

Rudolf Ackermann was already a successful carriage-maker, paper maker, and high quality printer by the time he started the Repository of Arts, Literature, Commerce, Manufactures, Fashions, and Politics in January 1809. This renowned British periodical ended publication in 1828 and was simply known as Ackermann's Repository during its run. The last issue of the Repository appeared in December 1828. Ackermann's Repository covered a wide range of topics targeted to both gentlemen and ladies. The variety of the articles is reflected in the colour plates published throughout the years. From hunting and fishing, landscapes, famous places and houses, new inventions to plans for cottages and gazebos, it covered it all. In its day, it had great influence on English taste in fashion, architecture, and literature. To this day the periodical is highly sought by collectors, with the fashion plates being one of the most prized. The quality and vibrancy of the prints are unsurpassed among the other Regency publications. Over the years many catalogues both in print and online have been created in order to help collectors assess the completeness of the Ackermann volumes they purchase. Like many other admirers I started with acquiring some individual engravings. Even though all plates are identified by plate number and volume in general, when trimmed for binding this helpful informationis often lost. Searching the Net in order to connect a date and other necessary information to a print I have just purchased, proved very frustrating. When purchasing a complete bound volume - quick, at a glance reference as to what plates should be included in each volume proved even harder to come by. For me, being a visual person, the ability to see, without wasting a lot of time in various searches, was more important than anything. I needed a resource, independent of a screen, which I can take to auctions, dusty attics and antique shops. This reference book aims to give you exactly that. It will not reveal groundbreaking or unknown facts about the publishers or the volumes, but simply give you a complete quick access to every plate published in the Ackermann's Repository,printed both in colour or black and white. Since the fashion plates are the most popular, and the only theme consistent throughout the entire run of the periodical I have given them more prominent placement. There are four volumes in this reference series each covering 10 of the original Ackermann's Repository volumes. Each plate is identified by its year, volume and number as well as a title. A note is left in the few occasions where a number is missing, or a plate appears in a different part of the year as opposed to what was originally intended. I hope that you will enjoy perusing the pages and find as much pleasure seeing the fashion, furniture and art tastes change through the years as I had researching the Repository. I hope that you will be inspired to preserve the books in their entirety and enjoy the articles as much as the art work.

In this second volume of "The fashion trends of Ackermann's Repository" we look into the next 5 years of the life of the periodical, from 1814 until the end of 1818. At this time of his life Rudolph Ackermann is an established print seller, book-seller, publisher and businessman, among other successful ventures. His Repository of Arts shop has grown and now consists of gallery, tea room, circulating library, and he hosts a regular evening talk for invited guests. The periodical is successful and well established, boosting thousands of subscribers. By this time he has created a recognizable brand, especially with his coloured plates, and without subscribing to any political views himself, R. Ackermann continues to deliver cutting edge information on current movements in politics and culture. In its pages The Repository continues to exhibit artwork by those who were not admitted into the Royal Academy, such as engravers, draftsmen and colorists. Ackermann successfully establishes business based on hand coloured aquatint plates, and in 1818 this has made him one of the first British publishers to operate and own lithography press, which explains the appearance of more lithography plates on the pages of the magazine during this period.This instalment of the series starts with the 11th volume of the publication and ends with volume 6 of the second series. After volume 14 the original series ends, and the second series begin in December of 1815 with volume 1anew. What necessitated the change was Ackermann's eventual realization that the primary audience of The Repository should be women, and shifted the tone and content of articles toward women, including fashion and cultural events as the primary topics. His shift, along with that of other publishers, encouraged " female consumption by characterizing it as a patriotic and virtuous exhibition of taste in the home". ( Bermingham; Katherine D. Harris).As of January 1816 the periodical continues with revamped content as Volume 1, Second Series. With this shift, we see the departure of the hunting and military portrait plates, of the first 5 years of the periodical, and the arrival of scenic and romantic travel plates, more consistent continuation of the needlework patterns and the new pictorial cards. The fashion plates offer more variety in dress styles, including the first ones specifically designed for brides. Sadly, for the next 5 years (1814 - 1818) there were no more children or men's fashion styles offered. There is a marked increase in the mourning dresses for every occasion, triggered by the death in childbirth, of the popular Princess Charlotte of Wales. By the end of 1818 The Repository of Art is the most fashionable place for the upper classes of London to visit. The magazine is eagerly anticipated by society women and has huge influence on the fashion of the day. Regardless of its shifted focus towards subjects more appreciated by the ladies of the time Ackermann continues to depict 19th century England with vibrant detail.

A complete pictorial reference to all coloured and black and white plates published by Ackermann's Repository of Arts, etc. within the period of 1819-1823, comprising volumes 7 to 14 of the Second Series and volumes 1 and 2 of the Third Series . Emphasis is given to the fashion plates since they are the most sought after

More than 200 years have gone by, but the name of Rudolph Ackermann is still associated with innovation, entrepreneurship, and his beautiful, profusely illustrated books. He provided employment , and a place for artists to explore and expand their creativity, to reach the public without the approval of the mainstream artistic institutions. His shop and showroom were a hub for the most modern, edgy tastes of the time.The Repository of Arts seized publication in December of 1828 after 20 successful years and 40 beautifully presented volumes. Close to 1400 illustrations, mostly hand coloured, were issued for the duration of the periodical. They depicted the 19th century English, upper middle class with vibrant detail - from clothing, furniture, and house designs to country estates, international travels, new inventions and so much more.Ackermann set out to deliver " useful information in a pleasing and popular form" and the result was 40 volumes which historians, costume designers, film and theatre set creators still borrow costumes and interiors from, and the beautiful illustrations have shaped our vision of Jane Austen's world in a way no other contemporary periodical has.To me the volumes of the Repository are a treasured part of my collection, a portal to the past, unblemished by today's views, modern opinions and sensitivities. With today's ease of printing , few of us realize the effort needed to produce such hand colouring, and the time, patience and precision essential to create engraving for each subscriber looking virtually the same as the other. In reality each and every individual plate is an original reflecting the skill of the colorist.The 4 volumes of these series contain quick visual reference to all plates issued for the duration of the periodical. They offer quick reference as to what to expect to find in a Ackermann's Repository volume before you make a costly purchase.Time beats against what is left, and a little bit of what has reached us, is lost every day, I hope that we will preserve the little treasures still surviving in our time, and pass them on to those who come after us.