A house called Mirables among the rocks near Niton, Isle of Wight, depicted in a painting by Thomas Walmesley.
CARISBROOKE Castle Museum has been offered a rare collection of early 19th century prints of Isle of Wight scenes but its trustees need to find around £6,000 to buy them.
An anonymous vendor wants to sell his framed collection of Select Views of the Isle of Wight and Environs, by Thomas Walmesley, at a significantly discounted price so they can remain on the Island.
The 12 Regency-era prints, published by James Daniell and Son between 1800 and 1815, illustrate the Island as a picturesque landscape and represents an important stage in the development of landscape art.
The collection includes scenes of Brixton Church, the old name for Brighstone, and Carisbrooke Castle.
Judi Griffin, the chairman of trustees of the Carisbrooke Castle Museum, said: "As far as we are aware, these prints are the only known collection of their kind, apart from those in The King’s Topographical Collection at the British Library in London."
The trustees are applying to the Victoria and Albert Purchase Fund for half of the cost, which will leave them the challenge of raising the remaining £3,000.
Mrs Griffin added: "In view of the importance of this collection to the Island, the trustees are appealing for public subscriptions towards the purchase.
"The vendor has generously agreed to lend the prints to the museum for a public viewing, which will take place in the museum for one day only, on Saturday, from 10am to 3.45pm."
Reporter: jonm@iwcpmail.co.uk