Thomas Hartley Cromek ANWS (British 1809-1873): The Human Skeleton Illustrated & Described 1827/1828, folio manuscript anatomical study album containing twelve pencil anatomical plates after nature with extensive handwritten descriptive text, original half-calf binding titled in gilt with marbled boards, with autograph inscription by Cromek dated Wakefield June 3rd 1859, and associated 1909 letter from J J Foster relating to the album’s provenance
Notes:
Cromek is best known for his architectural and topographical watercolours, but his early anatomical work is documented. In 1827 he was commissioned by the Leeds surgeon Thomas Teale to produce detailed anatomical drawings, shortly before leaving for Italy in 1830.
The present album relates to this little-known early period. The binding is titled in gilt The Human Skeleton Illustrated & Described by T. H. Cromek, 1827, while Cromek’s autograph inscription, dated Wakefield June 3rd 1859, states that the drawings were made from nature in 1828 and submitted to Sir Astley Cooper, who praised them highly and wished Cromek to work for him as an anatomical draughtsman.
The album is accompanied by a letter dated 26th October 1909 from J. J. Foster, King William’s Hall, Durham, stating that he had in his possession a set of pencil drawings of the human skeleton and separate bones by T. H. Cromek, formerly in the possession of his late brother, James Foster, who had been in practice at Wakefield. The letter repeats the tradition that Sir Astley Cooper had described the drawings as the finest he had seen.
Sir Astley Cooper was one of the leading British surgeons of the early nineteenth century, associated with Guy’s Hospital and the Royal College of Surgeons.