Coade’s Etchings and Catalogue
Coade was an innovator in her use of printed materials. Etchings of the company’s stock were produced as early as 1777. A page of medallions, statuary or keystones, for example, could be sent to clients to choose their favourite design.
The pages were made into a book around 1784, to go with the catalogue of that year. Leafing through the images, you could choose a design and note its number, then turn to that number’s description to read the size and price of the piece.
The keystone of a female face with drapery is number 450. Turning to the catalogue, I find it listed as a female head, 1 foot, 3 ½ inches width at the top, 1 foot 5 inches in height, costing 1 pound, 1 shilling. The London doorways pictured are 58 Bloomsbury Street and 37 Bedford Square.
The keystone of a young bearded man is number 446, or Jupiter’s (head), 1 foot, 2 ½ inches width at the top, and 1 foot 8 inches in height, costing 1 pound, 11 shillings and sixpence. These doorways are 135 Harley Street and 115 Baker Street.
