Catalog Archive
Auction 129, Lot 852

"[Lot of 6 - Napoleonic War]",

Subject: Military

Period: 1819 (published)

Publication: Historic, Military, and Naval Anecdotes…

Color: Hand Color

Size:
11 x 7.8 inches
27.9 x 19.8 cm
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These fully hand colored aquatints depict military scenes from the Napoleonic Wars as published in Historic, Military, and Naval Anecdotes of Great Personal Valour, Bravery, and Particular Incidents Which Occurred to the Armies of Great Britain and Her Allies, in the Long Contested War, Terminating in the Battle of Waterloo. Published by Edward Orme, publisher to King George III. Aquatint, the most delicate of all engraving forms, is capable of showing gradual tonal qualities, something no other engraving process is capable of reproducing. The aquatint process is more correctly referred to as etching rather than engraving. The process is very difficult and time consuming and as such is often seen in a small portion of the plate, usually the sky and clouds, with the balance accomplished in a more straightforward and quickly accomplished engraving processes like dry point or wet point. These beautifully developed plates are primarily rendered in aquatint, with a few engraved outlines. Each is well hand colored in a contemporary hand with water color and gouache. Each image is mint except as noted below. They are dated 1815 to 1818, but published in 1819. There are a few spots in the margins.

1) The Allies before Dantzic in Winter. After art by John-Heaviside Clark. (A)
2) Death of Major Genl. Sir Wm. Ponsonby. After art by F.J. Manskirch. (A+)
3) Napoleon's Flight across the Rhine, near the City of Mentz, Pursued by the Allies. Mentz is shown in the background with numerous troops staged on the opposite bank. After art by F.J. Manskirch. (A)
4) The Prince of Orange at the Battle of Waterloo, distributing, at the moment, to the brave Troops the Orders he then wore. After art by John-Heaviside Clark. Light stain at lower edge of image. (B+)
5) The Horse Guards at the Battle of Waterloo. One of the officers having Killed a French Colonel cuts off his Epaulette in triumph. After art by A.J. Atkinson.(A+)
6) Russian Loyalty and Heroism. Anecdote of the Russian Peasant of Smolensk, who being forced by the French, coolly chopped off his hand, rather than serve Bonaparte on his March towards Moscow. Not for the dining room wall. After art by J.A. Atkinson. (A)

References:

Condition:

See individual descriptions.

Estimate: $250 - $300

Sold for: $325

Closed on 9/23/2009

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