William Rose Bock b. 1847 Hobart Town, Tas.

  • Artist (Draughtsman) , (Printmaker)
William Rose Bock learned engraving and printmaking from his father Thomas Bock and was well-known in Tasmania as a designer of illuminated addresses, crests and seals before relocating to New Zealand in 1868. In Wellington he established himself as a publisher and printer and was responsible for publishing Sarah Ann Fenton's Art Album of New Zealand Flora, the first fully-coloured book to be prin
Talk | Version history | Updated Oct. 19, 2011 | Created Jan. 1, 1992
Name
William Rose Bock
Birth date
6 January 1847
Birth place
Hobart Town, Tas.
Death date
1932
Death place
New Zealand
Gender
Male
Roles
  • Artist (Draughtsman)
  • Artist (Printmaker)
Residence
  • 1868- 1932 Wellington, New Zealand
  • 1847- 1868 Hobart Town, Tas.
Other Occupation
  • Publisher
Active Period
  • c.1868- c.1889
Languages
  • English
Is Indigenous
No
Initial Record Data Source
  • DAA with additions

illustrator, engraver and publisher, was born in Hobart Town on 6 January 1847, a son of the portrait painter Thomas Bock and Mary Anne Cameron. He was taught drawing and engraving by his father and became known locally as a designer of illuminated addresses, crests and seals. In 1868 William Bock went to New Zealand, where he apparently spent the remaining 64 years of his life. He set up as a publisher and printer in Wellington, both on his own and in partnerships, his best-known work being done in partnership with Cousins in 1879-89, notably the printing and publishing of Sarah Ann Fenton’s Art Album of New Zealand Flora , the first fully-coloured book to be printed in New Zealand (1889). He designed crests, seals and illuminated manuscripts but no surviving Australian work is known. The Wellington firm he established, W.G. Bock and Sons, was being run by his great-great grandson in 1988.

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Writers:
Staff Writer
Date written:
1992
Last updated:
1989
child of
Thomas Bock
1790
Artist (Photographer), Artist (Printmaker), Artist (Painter)
associate of
Thomas Bock
1790
Artist (Photographer), Artist (Printmaker), Artist (Painter)
child of
née Cameron Mary Anne Bock
Non-Artist/Designer/Curator
associate of
Cousins
Non-Artist/Designer/Curator
associate of
Sarah Ann Fenton
Non-Artist/Designer/Curator
associate of
Virginia Cuppaidge
1943
Artist (Painter)
Citations:
  • Platts, U., (1979), Nineteenth Century New Zealand Artists, (Place: Christchurch, New Zealand)
  • Ellis, E.M. & Ellis, D.G., (1978), Early Prints of New Zealand 1642-1875, (Place: Christchurch, New Zealand)