Catalog Archive
Auction 196, Lot 254

"The Day Before the Great Naval Review - The Fleet Passing Castle William on Its Way Up the Hudson", Harper's Weekly

Subject: New York City, New York

Period: 1893 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
42 x 12.6 inches
106.7 x 32 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

This lovely scene depicting the Great Naval Review was based upon a drawing by Victor Perard and issued in the May 6, 1893 issue of Harper’s Magazine. The Naval Review was organized in celebration of the 400th celebration of Columbus’ landing in the New World, and brought together navies from 10 different counties for the event (all major navies at the time except for Japan). Almost every steel ship in the U.S. Navy was present, as well as full-scale replicas of Columbus’ three ships - the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria.

The view is taken by Castle William on Governor’s Island, with the Statue of Liberty visible at left and lower Manhattan at right. Spectators line the castle wall while numerous steamships and small boats crowd the bay to witness the array of military ships making their way up to the Hudson River.

References:

Condition: A

Issued folding on a bright sheet with very attractive modern coloring. There is faint toning along the sheet edges, and the folds have been reinforced on verso with hinge tape to repair a few minor separations.

Estimate: $550 - $700

Sold for: $325

Closed on 2/7/2024

Archived