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Lithograph of a fossil sponge, [1819]

 Lithograph watermarked   Lithograph of a fossil sponge, by Etheldred Benett, [May 1819], probably printed by F Moser. (LDGSL/947/7/2)
 
After the time consuming exercise of producing multiple hand drawn volumes such as her ‘Sketches of fossil Alcyonia...’, Benett began experimenting with the relatively new printmaking technique of lithography. This pen and ink lithograph by Benett, again of a fossil sponge, was produced at the end of a visit to London in May 1819.  
 
Producing small runs of lithographic prints of fossil specimens which could be circulated amongst geological friends and acquaintances became quite common in the first half of the 19th century. A number were sent to the Society to be added to its Museum and still survive in the Archives today.