Bartholomew Howlett (1767–1827), was a draughtsman and engraver who specialised in topographical and antiquarian subjects. Howlett was born in Louth in Lincolnshire and following his apprenticeship to the engraver James Heath (1757–1834) he embarked on his most significant work as a publisher, draughtsman and engraver, A Selection of Views in the County of Lincoln (Howlett, 1805). The earliest plate was published in 1797 and it eventually comprised 53 views and 25 vignettes engraved by Howlett from drawings by leading topographical artists of the day including Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775–1851), Frederick Nash (1782–1856), and Girtin, whose works, either as commissions or loans from supportive collectors, provided the basis for ten subjects. Two of Girtin’s contributions to the publication were initially sketched in Lincoln in 1794 (TG1008 and TG1010) during the artist’s visit to the Midland counties with his first significant patron James Moore (1762–99), but the remainder were made from sketches provided by various amateur artists mainly from Lincolnshire, including views of Crowland Abbey (TG0286), Tattershall Castle (TG1030 and TG1031), Thornton Abbey (TG1032 and TG1033) and Langton Hall (TG1028) none of which he ever visited himself. The engravings were published with an extensive text in 1801 by William Miller (1769–1844), taking over from Howlett, with a second more complete edition following in 1805 (Howlett, 2001).

1794

Lincoln Cathedral, from the West

TG1008

1794 - 1795

Lincoln, from the Brayford Pool

TG1010

1793 - 1794

The West Front of Crowland Abbey

TG0286

(?) 1799

Tattershall Castle, from the North East

TG1030

1797 - 1798

Tattershall Castle, from the South West

TG1031

1796 - 1797

The West Front of the Gatehouse of Thornton Abbey

TG1032

1796 - 1797

The East Front of the Gatehouse of Thornton Abbey

TG1033

1796

Langton Hall

TG1028