Antique Map, Print, Charts & Atlas Auction - Engravings, Views, Decorative Prints

Antique Prints & Engravings

Auction No. 85
Is Now Closed

Closed December 5, 1998
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The following eight lots are steel engravings of famous people in American history. Each portrait is surrounded by a delicately engraved frame, which includes a small vignette of an important historical event. We don’t know what these were published in, but the style is similar to works by John Tallis of London, circa 1850. Each sheet is approximately 6 x 9.5" and most include a facsimile of their signature as the title. Click images for full size.

374. John Hancock. With his bold signature & view of the riots at Boston on Mar. 5, 1770. (A) Click image for full size. $30-40

375. Washington. After a painting by Stuart with a view of the battle of Trenton. Frame surmounted by an American Eagle. (A) Click image for full size. $40-50

376. Franklin. With two vignettes; the signing of the Declaration of Independence and two female figures carving a stone with the names of the signers. (A+) Click image for full size. $40-50

377. John Adams. Vignette, in the form of a medal, of M. Talleyrand receiving the American envoys in 1797. (A) Click image for full size. $30-40

378. W.H. Harrison. Vignette of the Battle of Tippecanoe. (A+) Click image for full size. $30-40

379. James Madison. From a painting by Stuart. Vignette of a Revolutionary Army troop review. (A+) Click image for full size. $30-40

380. Thomas Jefferson. Crisp portrait with a vignette of Jefferson showing the draft of the Declaration of Independence to Franklin and Adams. From a painting by R. Knight. (A+) Click image for full size. $35-50

381. General Putnam. With a vignette of his famous escape. (A+) Click image for full size. $30-40

382. French and Indian War (The Death of General Wolfe), Anon., London, ca. 1840. 7 x 4.7". (BW) After the famous painting by Benjamin West (1771). The general lies on the ground at the Battle of Quebec. He is surrounded by soldiers, one of whom holds the Union Jack. In the distance, a soldier runs forward bearing a captured French flag. (A) Illustrated at left. $25-40

The following lots are chromolithographs from a 1892 edition of George Catlin’s The Manners, Customs and Condition of the North American Indians. Catlin was an American artist and traveler who devoted himself to using his art to illustrate the customs of Native Americans. He painted over 600 pictures of the people, and their cultural life, from 48 different tribes during the years 1832-39. Each print measures approximately 7 x 5".
Note: All are illustrated; click on the underlined plate number or thumbnail to view image.

383. Plt. 173. A Pawnee village, of conical shaped homes, by the river. (A+) $30-40

384. Plt 165. Charming scene of Comanche women and children, and their pet wolves, outside a decorated tipi. (A) $30-40

385. Plts. 133, 134, 135, 136. Four portraits, on a single sheet, each depicting a Konzas chief or warrior. Each with colorful headdress, jewelry and weapons. (A+) $35-45

386. Plts. 145 & 146. Two full portraits, on one sheet, of standing Omahas warriors depicted in war-paint, buffalo skin robes and tomahawks. (A) Click image for full size. $35-45

387. Plt 157. Scene of soldiers approaching a Comanche war party. The chief is in front, mounted on a rearing white stallion. (A) $35-45

388. Plt. 206. Colorful full portrait of an Iroquois chief dressed in a red and blue blanket, with feathered headdress, peace medal and tomahawk. (A+) $35-45

389. Plt. 153. Great full portrait of a proud Osage displaying his peace medal, bow and quiver, and feathered lance. (A+) $40-50

390. Plt. 126 & 126. Two plates on a sheet. First shows a party of hunters creeping up on a herd of buffalo. Second is a huge herd of buffalo crossing a river, with the hunters in a boat in their midst. (A) $25-30

391. Plt. 172. Full portrait of a Comanche chief proudly displaying his weapons and scalps. (A) $40-50

392. Plt. 244 & 246. Two portrait on one sheet. Chippeway man, in full war paint, and a woman with a beautifully decorated baby carrier. (A+) $30-40

393. Plt. 243. A Chippeway Snow-shoe dance. (A) $35-50

394. Plt. 280. Full standing portrait of a Sac warrior in all his finery and weapons. (A+) $40-50

395. Plt. 20. Great scene of a decorated tipi and its owners busy with their chores. (A) $30-40

396. Plt 290. Ke-o-kuk (Fox warrior) on horseback. (A+) Illustrted at left. $35-45

397. Alaska (Vue d’un Etablissement des Hanitans du Port des Francais pour la Saison de la Peche [together with] Naufrage des Deux Chaloupes, au Port des Francais), La Perouse, Atlas du Voyage de La Perouse, Paris, 1797. 15.5 x 10.5". (BW) Pair of outstanding copper engravings. First is a village on the coast of S.E. Alaska. The people are depicted in their daily routines of drying fish, building boats, hauling wood and children playing. Second is the scene of a disastrous sinking of one of the exploration’s boats. In the background are mountains and glaciers. Folds as issued, clean & crisp. Second has a repaired tear of fold extending into image, other fine. (A) $100-120

398. Arizona (Fort Yuma on the Colorado), Anon., ca. 1860. 7.5 x 5". (FC) Charming view of the fort on a hill above the river. A paddle-steamer and row boat in the foreground. (A+) $40-50

399. Arizona (Fort Yuma, Colorado River), Anon., Lith. of Sarony, ca. 1850. 10 x 5.5". (BW) View from Arizona across the Colorado to the fort on a hill. Military encampment in the foreground. Excellant detail. (A) Illustrated at right. $40-50

400. California (Northern Slopes of the Sierra Nevada), USPRRS, Wash. DC, 1854. 29.5 x 6". (BW) Panoramic view of the northern Sierra Nevadas & Cascades with Mount Shasta dominating the landscape. Folded as issued with a little offsetting in margin. (A) Click image at right for full size. $70-90

The following etchings and photogravures are from the monumental work, Picturesque California, published by the famous naturalist John Muir in 1888. Muir wanted to share the natural beauty of the West with a wider audience and employeed famous artists for the project. Each print is either a finely rendered photogravure or etching, measuring about 10 x 7", on a full 19 x 14" sheet. And all have their original tissue cover printed with title, artist, and a quote by Muir.
Noet: Click title or thumbnail to see full image.

401. Russian River Valley (Mt. St. Helena from Healdsburg). Thomas Moessner. Lovely, photogravure of the valley with orchards and a large farm home. (A) $25-35

402. Mt. Humphrey - View from the South Fork of the San Joaquin. 14,000 Feet High. W. Keith. Fine photogravure of the mountain with a rushing stream and the valley in foreground. (A+) $30-40

403. Wild Sheep on the Slope of Mt. Ritter in the Sierras. Close-up of three sheep, precariously perched on a steep mountain, with snow capped Mt. Ritter in the background. Photogravure. (A+) Click image at left for full size. $30-40

404. San Antonio Canon ("Old Baldy") in the Distance. Thomas Hill. Mounted Indians fording a creek in a deep valley, with Mt. Baldy behind. Photogravure. (A) $30-40

405. Eucalyptus Avenue. W.C. Fitler. A beautiful tree-lined street in the new town of Ingelwood. Horsedrawn coaches and finely dressed people. Photogravure. (A+) Click image below for full image. $45-60

406. Mt. Emerson and the High Sierras. W. Keith. Beautiful photogravure of rugged snow-covered mountains. (A+) Click image for full size. $30-40

407. Deer Pass into the Canon of the Merced, Below Mt. Lyell. Julian Rix. Dramatic mountains and steep valley pass, with deer in the foreground. Photogravure. (A) $30-40

408. The Indian Canon - Encounters with a Grizzly Bear. Thomas Hill. Sheer rocky pinnacles frame this life-or-death battle between Indians and bear. Photogravure. (A) $30-40

409. The Geysers. Julian Rix. Lovely photogravure of a rocky stream with steaming vents and mountains in the background by the famous California artist. (A) $25-35

410. Tourists Among the Passes - Mt. Lyell Glacier in the Distance. A.J. Keller. Fine etching of three couples, with picnic baskets, mounted on mules. (A+) $25-35

411. New York (Lot of six prints), W.H. Bartlett, ca. 1845. 7 x 5". (FC) Set of 6 prints, all nicely hand-colored, matted and enclosed in plastic. Includes Barhydt’s Lake (Srartoga), Crow-Nest from Bull Hill (Hudson River), View from Mount Ida (near Troy), Chapel of our Lady of Coldspring, View from Glenmary Lawn (on the Owago) and Colonnade of Congress-Hall (Saratoga Springs). A nice set ready for display. (A+) $180-200

412. New York (Lot of six prints), W.H. Bartlett, ca. 1845. 7 x 5". (FC) Set of 6 prints, all hand-colored, mats & enclosed in plastic. Includes Village of Catskill, The Catterskill Fall, Crow-Nest from Bull Hill (Hudson River), Chapel of our Lady of Coldspring, View from Glenmary Lawn (on the Owago) and Colonnade of Congress-Hall (Saratoga Springs). A nice set ready for display. (A+) $180-200

413. New York City (New-York), Bibl. Institute Hildburghausen, c.1850. 6 x 3.8". (FC) View of Manhattan from the NJ shore. Many spired churches, harbor filled with sailing ships and two islands, probably Ellis & Governors. Country road, picnickers in foreground. Wide margins, surface soiling. (B) Click image for full size. $20-30

414. France (Vue du Chateau de Versailles du Cote de l’Orangerie), Georg Balthaser, Paris, ca. 1790. 16 x 10.6". (FC) Vues D’Optique of the huge chateau at Versailles. Designed to be viewed in a special viewer, the image is reversed so it projects correctly. Lake in the foreground, in front of the Chateau, and numerous, finely dressed ladies & gentlemen. Strongly engraved and colored using watercolor, gouache and gum arabic. (B) $60-80

415. South Carolina (Bird’s-eye View of Charleston), after J. Wells (W. Ridgeway, engraver), NY, ca. 1850. 7.7 x 5". (BW) Steel engraved view of the city and river with surrounding countryside. (A) $30-50

416. Chili (Costumes des Habitans de la Conception [together with] Vue de l’Ile Ste. Catherine), La Perouse, Atlas du Voyage de La Perouse, Paris, 1797. 15.5 x 10". (BW) Pair of very attractive copper engravings. First depicting the elaborate dress of the inhabitants of Chili, both aristocrats (with obvious European influence) and peasants. The people are gathered on a hillside overlooking the bay, with two ships and a landing boats in the distance. Second is a lovely view overlooking the town, with its mission. Ships are at anchor in the harbor. In the foreground are European monks, a soldier and two native ladies. Folds as issued. (A+) $100-120

417. England (Lot of three prints), Edward Jeffrey, London, ca. 1800. 8.2 x 5.5". (BW) Three attractive, copper engraved views: Whitehall; A View of St. James’s Palace and Westminster Abbey; and The Lodge in Bushy Park. (A) The former is illustrated at right. Click image for full size. $75-100

418. England (London), T.H. Shepherd, System of Universal Geography, Boston, [1834]. 8 x 6". (BW) A lovely view of the Thames River and the London Bridge. Fine, sharp impression with good contrast. Engraved by J.B. Neagle. (B) $45

419. Iraq (La Ville de Babylone), Jan Punt, 1742. 17.8 x 12". (BW) Magnificent, large engraved view of the walled city including the mostly finished temple. Filled with people, elephants, animals, and mountains in the background. Pennant style cartouche in the sky. Hand-laid paper with watermark. Close trimmed at binding edge with a few tears, just entering image. Very fine view. (B) $50-60

420. Holy Land (Jerusalem in its present state), Malte-Brun, Malte-Brun System of Universal Geography, Paris, [1834]. 7.5 x 6". (BW) Charming copper engraved view of the city, with people walking along the road leading to the city. (A) Click image for full size. $30-40

The following five lots are tinted lithographs of the Holy Land after David Roberts, published by Day & Sons in 1855. Each is approximately 5.5 x 8.5"
Note: All are illustrated - click on the title of thumbnail to see full size image.

421. Nablous, Ancient Shechem. The ancient city, nestled into the rolling hills, with a group of travelers in the foreground. (A+) $45-60

422. Ramla. The lovely city with ruins in foreground, and travelers on the road. (A) $45-60

423. The Entrance to the Citadel of Jerusalem. An outstanding view of the city with a group of men seated in the foreground. (A+) Illustrated above. $55-75

424. Entrance to Nablous. The road to the city filled with travelers and camels. (A+) $45-60

425. Jerusalem from the Road Leading to Bethany. Distant view of the walled city. (A+) $55-75

426. India (Delhi), Malte-Brun, System of Universal Geography, Paris, [1834]. 7.5 x 5.5". (BW) Impressive view of the city with a domed temple and lots of people, elephants, etc. Drawn by W. Purser. A few light stains, else fine. (B) $20-30

427. Africa (Gonda, the Capital of Abyssinia with part of the Lake Tzana), Malte-Brun, System of Universal Geography, Paris, [1834]. 8.5 x 6". (BW) Crisp, dark copper engraving of the walled city atop a hill next to a cliff. (B) $20-30

428. Egypt (View of Alexandria, the Capital of Egypt), Malte-Brun, System of Universal Geography, Paris, [1834]. 8.5 x 5.6". (BW) Very tall, monolithic column dominates the scene with people, horses and camels in foreground. One faint spot in image. (B) $20-30

429. Pacific (Inhabitants and Monuments of Easter Island) [together with 2 other engravings], Voyage de la Perouse, London, 1798. 11.7 x 7.7". (BW) Delightful copper engraving of Europeans and natives gathered around two large monuments. A quaint scene, with two women who are engaged by a looking mirror and a native man stealing one of the European’s hat. Lot include two other views from Alexander Hogg’s account of Cook’s voyages; one of South Georgia and the other of Kamtschatka. (A+) Click image for full size. $50-70

430. South Pacific (Lot of 40 engravings), d’Urvilles Voyage Pittoresque, ca. 1850. 7 x 10.5". Nice group of steel engravings of Pacific interest, including Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand and other islands. Most have 2 delicate engravings per page, depicting the native inhabitants & their culture. Two are nicely hand-colored; the rest black and white. Couple depict battle scenes between Europeans and natives. Edges browned, but most images clean and crisp with very little light foxing of a few sheets. (B) Click image for full size. $100-120

431. Birds (Merle du Port des Francais [together with] Promerops del la Californie Septentrionale), Atlas du Voyage de la Perouse, Paris, ca. 1797. 10 x 15.7". (BW) Handsome pair of early, copper engravings of California birds; each perched on a tree branch. First was drawn by Duche de Vancy and the other by J.R. Prevost; both engraved by le Pagelet. First a little toned while the other may have been cleaned. (A) $75-85

The following lots are beautiful, early, chromolithograph plates from Studer’s Popular Ornithology The Birds of North America, published in Montreal, 1881. The plates ( 9 x 12") were lithographed on stone by Theodore Jasper.
Note: click title or thumbnail for full size.

432. PL.LXXXVII. Pretty scene with a pair of California Quail together with Arkansas and Lawrence’s Goldfinches and a Gairdner’s Woodpecker. (A+) $50-60

433. PL. LXVII. Gorgeous scene of two American or Red Flamingos. (A+) Click image for full size. $75-90

434. PL. LIV. Lakeshore view with a magnificent Trumpeter Swan surrounded by various gulls and terns. (A+) Click image for full size. $65-75

435. PL. XXXVI. Two views, on one sheet, with numerous birds including the Blue Yellow-backed Warbler, Black and Yellow Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Hermit Thrush, White-throated Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow and Winter Wren. (A+) $50-60

436. PL. XXXV. Golden Eye Ducks. Adult male and female, together with a youngster, shown on the sea shore. (A+) $60-70

437. PL. XXIX. Passenger Pigeons. Charming scene of a flock of the lovely blue and tawny colored birds that are now extinct. (A) $65-75

438. PL.XVIII. Woodpeckers. Three birds shown on a tree trunk. The largest is the Pileated Woodpecker, with its characteristic red top-knot, shown with two smaller Hairy Woodpeckers. (A) $65-75

439. PL. III. The White Whopping Crane. Beautiful plate with three birds. The two in the background displaying courtship behavior. Click image for full size. (A) $75-90

440. PL. I. The White-headed or Bald Eagle. Adult is shown delivering a fish dinner to the two chicks in its nest. (A) $75-100

441. PL. XX. The Ash-colored or Black-cap Hawk. The handsome bird perched on a branch overlooking a river valley. (A+) $60-70

442. Botanical (Lot of ten), John Gerard, A Genralle Historie of Plantes, London, [1597-98]. 8.5 x 13". Set of leaves from this famous early British herbal catalog. Each is a full sheet of text with copper engraved illustrations of various plants, some on both sides. The illustrations are partially hand-colored (mostly the leaves), probably by a previous owner. Hand-coloring was a popular past-time among the aristocracy during Victorian times. Minor soiling in margins, overall very good. (B) Click image for full size. $90-100

443. Fashion (Lot of 7 prints), La Mode Illustree, Paris, [1862-79]. 10 x 14". (FC) Seven lovely fashion plates, each with several depictions of ladies hats, La Mode Illustree is the finest of the nineteenth century ladies fashion magazines. The hand-coloring is extremely beautiful. A few marginal defects, overall fine. (A+) Illustrated below. $150-200

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