SEYMOUR, SAMUEL: "An engraver of portraits, etc., located in Philadelphia in 1797-1822. In 1823, as a draftsman, he accompanied Major Stephen H. Long on his exploring expedition into the Yellowstone region, and nothing later is known of him." - Stauffer. See also "Early Views," nos. 119, 121, 175. † Oliver Goldsmith. Davies & Morgan's Edition Of Select British Classics. / S. Seymour Sc. / Dr Goldsmith. Stipple. Stauffer 2874. Inscription above trimmed off. † George Washington. S. Seymour Fecit. / In Memory of Gent George Washington and his Lady / Philada Jan. 1. 1804. Published by J. Savage according to Law. Stipple. In color. Stauffer 2878; Hart 246. Trimmed close; first line of inscription missing. † The Fandango. S. Seymour sc. / The Fandango. Line. Stauffer 2892. "From Pinkerton's 'Voyages,' Philadelphia, 181012." - Stauffer. Book illustration forms an interesting specialty in these early engravings. Much of it consisted of reengravings of British designs. Wall Case 14 SAINT MÉMIN, CHARLES BALTHASAR JULIEN FÉVRET DE, 1770-1852: Born in France; came to Canada 1793, and soon after to New York; returned to France, 1810; returned to the United States, 1812; returned again to France 1814; director of the museum in his native city of Dijon from 1817 until his death. "He introduced here the engraving of portraits by means of the 'physionotrace' invented by Edme Queneday, of Paris... With it he made on a tinted paper a profile a little less than life size. With this as a guide he used a pantograph to still further reduce the profile, so that it would go inside a circle of about two inches diameter, faintly scratching the reduced drawing directly on the copperplate. This copper was now etched and finished in aquatint, with assistance with the roulette... For the original crayon ...for the plate, and twelve impressions from the plate, St. Memin charged $33." - Stauffer. some See also "Early Views," no. 104, 105, 151, 181. + Thomas Jefferson. St. Mn. ft. E. Dexter, The St.-Mémin Collection... New York, 1862, no. 10. Davis Old. Drawn & engrd by St. Memin Philada. Dexter 164. Simon Chaudron. Drawn & engrd. by St. Memin Philada. “Simon Chaudron horloger / grivoisie Philadelphie" in ink. Dexter 235. Dr. J. A. Monges. Drawn & engrd. by St. Memin. Philada. "médecin" in ink. Dexter 238. Loup. Drawn & engrd. by St. Memin. "Loup négotiant. / Grivoisie Philadelphie" in ink. Dexter 264. The preceding five portraits are all executed in the mixed process (aquatint, etc.) described above, and are each in a circle of 2.4 inches diameter. An amusing side-light on the word "grivoisie," written on two of these prints, is furnished by the portrait of Fazi in the Library's St. Mémin collection, on which is written in ink, in the same hand, "Société de la Grivoisie." The tracing of the records of this band of convivial spirits- to judge by the name we leave to others. † Card of Peter Mourgeon. Peter Mourgeon / Copperplate printer / from Paris / No 11 Fair Street / New York / St. Memin inv. et sc. Etching. Stauffer 2738. CALLENDER, BENJAMIN, 1773-1856: Born in Boston, died in Northfield, Mass. Nephew of Joseph Callender. Noted in the "History of Northfield" as "merchant and engraver." All this from Stauffer, who adds that Callender engraved mainly maps and charts, which he produced as early as 1796 for Boston publishers. Map. Boston, 1789? A Correct Map of the / Georgia / Western Territory / Engraved for Morse's American Gazetteer. Callender Sc. Line. Stauffer 286. From Jedidiah Morse's "American Gazetteer," Boston, 1797. Stauffer notes that Callender did maps also for the "Naval Gazetteer" (Boston, 1797) and Malham's "Naval Gazetteer." The shifting theatre of war during the Revolution and the growth of the country offered various reasons for a demand for maps. Thus was added another opportunity for the engravers to turn an honest penny - and to add to our graphic materials for American history. ANDERSON, ALEXANDER, 1775-1870: Originally a copper-plate engraver, Anderson later turned to wood engraving, in which medium he was the first to produce noteworthy work in this country. See also "Early Views," Flat Case 2, no. K. † Ahab in Naboth's Vineyard. Corbould del. - A. Anderson Sc. / Ahab in Naboth's Vineyard. / C. 21. V. 17. / I. Kings. Line. Stauffer-Fielding 35. The name of a British designer on this and other plates in this exhibition emphasizes a fact of frequent occurrence in American book illustration of the early nineteenth century. Faustulus. Over: Rome. Below: Burney del. / Faustulus bringing the Twins Romulus / & Remus to Acca Laurentia... Line. † Garden of Eden. A Correct Map of the / Countries / surrounding the / Garden of Eden, / or / Paradise. / with / the Course of Noah's Ark during the Flood, &c. / A. Anderson Sculp. Line. 11.6 x 6.11. Book plate: Columbia College. Columbia College Library New York [in circle]. / Anderson Sculp. Line. † Thomas Dilworth. Thos Dilworth / School Master. / Anderson F. Wood engraving. 5.3 x 3.2. Frontispiece to "The Schoolmaster's Assistant, by Thomas Dilworth" (New York, 1793), the printed title of which is here shown with the frontispiece portrait. Wall Case 15 CLARKE, THOMAS: "Name...first appears in 1797, when he was en graving...for the 'American University Magazine' of Philadelphia...and for an edition of 'Telemachus' published by David Longworth, of New York. He was apparently in both cities in this year... Clarke was engraving in New York...as late as 1800; but Dunlap says that he went South about this time, became deranged, and then committed suicide." Stauffer. † George Washington. T. Clarke Sculpt 1801 Boston. / Sacred to the Memory of the Illustrious G. Washington. Stipple. Stauffer 408, first state; Hart 279. TRENCHARD, Е. С.: Stauffer found little definite about Trenchard, except that he engraved a plate issued in 1798, which is evidently the one here shown. But Stauffer-Fielding lists three others, two from "The World Displayed" (1795-96), and a bill-head, 1802. † Count Benjamin Rumford. Drawn & Engraved by E. C. Trenchard / Benjamin Count of Rumford. / Published by D. West Boston. Stipple. Stauffer 3273. "Frontispiece to 'Essays, etc.,' by Benjamin Count de Rumford. Boston, March, 1798." - Stauffer. GRIDLEY, ENOCH G.: Engraver in stipple and line, in business in New York, 1803-05; later, worked for Philadelphia publishers. So Stauffer, who found dates on Gridley's plates as late as 1818. the possession of Mrs Sergeant. / Stipple. Fielding-Edwin 166. Last line trimmed off. † Edward Shippen. G. Stuart Pinx. - D. Edwin sculp. / Edward Shippen, LL.D. / Chief Justice of Pennsylvania. / Æ. 74. / Stipple. Fielding-Edwin 179. Gilbert Charles Stuart. Engraved by D. Edwin from the original Picture by John Neagle. / Gilbert Stuart / Ætat 72 / Published by Geo. W. Bleecker New York. / Neale, Printer - Proof. / Stipple. FieldingEdwin 188b. George Washington. R. Peale PinxtPrinted in Colour's by H. Charles. - D. Edwin Sculpt / General George Washington. / Published by H. S. Tanner, Philadelphia. / Stipple. Fielding-Edwin 207b. The emphasis on the name of the man who printed this in colors was justified by the infrequency of such polychromatic excursions in this country at that time. Wall Case 16 †George Washington. Sacred to the Mem- tion / to render him worthy the title of / a EDWIN, DAVID, 1776-1841 : Born in England, died in Philadelphia. Apprenticed to C. Josi, the Dutch engraver then in England, he went with him to Holland in 1796, and next year shipped as a sailor to Philadelphia. There he was employed by T. B. Freeman, the book publisher, then for some time by Edward Savage. This last business relation recalls the story, started by Dunlap, that Edwin engraved the plates bearing Savage's name. C. H. Hart, in his "Edward Savage, Painter and Engraver" (Boston, 1905) proves, by the dates on Savage's prints, that this is impossible. Hart calls Edwin "the American Bartolozzi, in method, though vastly superior in manner." And elsewhere, "a great artist in his branch." As Stauffer put it, he "became the most popular and prolific engraver of portraits in the United States." In 1830 waning health and eyesight forced him to abandon engraving. He became clerk in T. B. Freeman's auction rooms, then assistant treasurer at the Chestnut St. Theatre, and later opened a small grocery store. "In 1835," the story ends, "he was made treasurer of the newly organised Artists' Fund Society of Philadelphia; and having fallen heir to a small legacy about the same time, he was enabled to pass his remaining years in comfort." Thomas McKean. Thomas McKean, / Governor of the / Commonwealth of Pennsylvania / Vice President of the State Society of Cincinnati &c. / Engraved by David Edwin from the Original Picture' by Gilbert Stuart in the Possession of J. B. McKean Esq / Entered According to Act of Congress, the 14 day of Jany 1803. by Gilbert Stuart, and David Edwin, of the State of Pennsylvania. / Stipple. Mantle Fielding, Catalogue of engraved work of David Edwin, Philadelphia, 1905, no. 122. † David Rittenhouse. C. W. Peale pinx 1772. -D. Edwin Sculp. / David Rittenhouse. / Ann. Ætat. 40. / From an original Picture in He engraved four drawings made by Ralph Earle of the affair at Lexington and Concord (see "Early Views," nos. 76, 77). Artist and engraver were pathetically helpless, but the four prints speak with a rough eloquence. Not only were those pre-camera days, but talent was rare, and pictorial records of doings that stirred the people had to be produced with the limited means at command. And so these old engravings are treasured, as are others of the time. These four Doolittle prints were copied in our own day, on copper, by Sidney L. Smith. Doolittle really did improve after his early effort. Alexander I of Russia. Published by Shel- Jonathan Edwards. Jonathan Edwards / President. / Engraved by Amos Doolittle, N Haven Line. Stauffer 513. This portrait appeared in Edwards's "History of Redemption" (1793) and in "The Millenium" (1794). George Washington. A. Doolittle Sculp / Gen. George Washington, / Commander in chief of the / Armies of of the United States. / Born Feb: 11th 1732 O. S. / Died December 14th 1799. Etching. Stauffer 519; Hart 145. George Washington. Connecticut Magazine. / A. Doolittle Sc: / George Washington. Stipple. Stauffer 520, second state; Hart 507. In this state the plate is reworked and relettered: Published by Shelton & Kensett - A. Doolittle Sc / George Washington. / The Saviour of his Country Flight into Egypt. Over: Engraved for the American Edition of Brown's Family Bible. Under: The Flight into Egypt. / Mathew Ch II Ve 14. / two lines] / Doolittle Sculp. N. H. Stauffer-Fielding 384, second state. + Thomas Jefferson. In circular border containing inscription. T. Jefferson President of the United States - Supporter of Liberty True Republican & Friend of the Rights of man. Line. Trimmed close. 9.4 x 9.4. WOOLLEY, WILLIAM: Stauffer records only two plates by this mezzotint engraver, the portraits of George and Mrs. Washington, published about 1800. Martha Washington. Woolley Pinxit — et Sculpsit. / Mrs. Martha Washington. Mezzotint. 11.10 x 9.15. GRAHAM, GEORGE: A "clever engraver in mezzotint and in stipple," says Stauffer, who could learn about him only that he was apparently located in Philadelphia in 1797, worked for New York publishers in 1804, designed and apparently engraved a frontispiece for the Society of the Cincinnati (Boston, 1812), and was once more in Philadelphia in 1813. His most important work is the portrait of Samuel Adams. Alexander Hamilton. Camillus / Painted by Walter Robertson, Engraved by George Graham for James Rivington New-York. 1796. Stipple. Stauffer 1163, first state. Date missing. Deborah Sampson. Graham E / Deborah Sampson. / Published by H. Mann, 1797. Stipple. Stauffer 1168. From the "Female Review," Dedham, Mass., 1797. In the Library's copy of that publication, the impression of this portrait has, at the left, opposite the engraver's name, an illegibly scratched name, presumably that of the designer, beginning with B. Wall Case 17 BIRCH, WILLIAM, 1755-1834: Born in England, where he became an enamel painter, engraver and print publisher. In 1794 he came to Philadelphia, where he continued his various activities, painting landscapes in water colors and miniatures in enamel. "Among the latter" - Stauffer again "were several portraits of Washington done after the Stuart head." And further, his "earlier engraved work was executed in stipple and was much more finished than that published in this country." See also "Early Views," nos. 56, 58, 119, 175, and Flat Case 2, no. E. † Arch Street Ferry. Drawn, Engraved & Published by W. Birch & Son.-Sold R. Campbell & Co No 30 Chesnut Street Philada 1800. / Arch Street Ferry, Philadelphia. Line. Stauffer 161, second state. Restrike, with inscription changed to: Drawn. Engraved & Published by W. Birch Springland near Bristol Pennsylvania 1800 Birch's name is best known in this country through his series of Philadelphia views and the "Country Seats" (see three following items). The Philadelphia series was issued 1799-1800, "drawn, engraved and published by W. Birch and Son." The "son" was Thomas Birch, who later became noted as a landscape and marine painter. Title Page. Over: The / Country Seats of the United States of North America, / with Scenes connected with them. / Under: 16 / The Capitol at Washington. / Designed and Published by W. Birch Enamel Painter Springland near Bristol. Pennsylva 1808. Etching. Stauffer 190. some In the impression here shown the number 16 does not appear. This is the title for the series which includes the two following items. Landsdown, Pennsylvania. Landsdown the Seat of the late Wm Bingham Esqr Pennsylvania. / Built by John Penn, Governor of Penna 1763 to 1776. / Drawn Engraved & Published by W. Birch, Springland near Bristol Pennsylva. Etching. In color. Stauffer 200. Without second line of inscription. Mount Vernon, Virginia. Mount Vernon, Virginia, the Seat of the late Gent G. Washington. / Drawn. Engraved & Published by W. Birch Springland near Bristol, Pennsylva Etching. Stauffer 204. AKIN, JAMES, 1773?-1846: Stauffer notes that the Philadelphia directory gives his occupation, in various years, as "engraver, designer, druggist, eating-house keeper and draftsman for patents. He drew caricatures upon stone for the lithographers, engraved book-plates, and published prints..." Another example of the adaptability of the American! John J. Currier's "History of Newburyport, Mass.," has various references to Akin. In v. 1 (1906), p. 481, his frontispiece to a Newburyport collection of sacred musick is spoken of, and his engraving of a Bible design ("Unto Thee will I sing") is reproduced. In v. 2 (1909) it is stated that he engraved a medal for the Merrimack Humane Society, as well as the orphan asylum certificate which bears the name of Mrs. Akin. A biographical sketch on p. 371-377 informs us that he was born in South Carolina, came to Newburyport in 1804, and was a clerk in the State Department in Philadelphia. His connection with Jacob Perkins is gone into in detail on p. 362-370. Benjamin Franklin. J. Akin Sc. Philada / Benjamin Franklin. / Published by Wm Duane, Philadelphia, 1809. Line. Stauffer 15; New York Public Library Franklin List 201. This engraving, which was copied on various United States postage stamps, was published in Franklin's "Works," v. 4, Philadelphia, 1809, as a frontispiece. It is after the bust made by Giuseppe Cerrachi in 1784. Patrick Lyon. Grav'd by J. Akin. / Patrick Lyon, who suffered Three months severe imprisonment on merely / a vague suspicion for the internal Robbery of the Bank / of Pennsylvania. Line. Stauffer 19. This is Lyon, the famous blacksmith, whose striking full-length portrait, at his forge, was painted by Neagle and engraved by T. Kelly. † Book plate: Peter A. Browne. Peter A. Browne. / Engrav'd by James Akin. AKIN, MRS.: Supposed, says Stauffer, to have been the wife of James Akin. † Orphans' Asylum Certificate, Newburyport. Mrs Akin furnishes cach member with a specimen / of her abilities in the Graphic Art, emblematic of the Institution. Mixed. Stauffer 30. On satin. "The only evidence of her work as an engraver," says Stauffer. John J. Currier, in his "History of Newburyport, Mass., 1764-1909, v. 2, 1909, reproduces an impression of this certificate of the Newburyport Female Charitable Society, organized 1803, and says, p. 131, that it was "probably engraved by James Akin, who came to Newburyport in 1804." HILL, JAMES: "In 1803," says Stauffer, "James Hill engraved some crude Bible illustrations published in Charlestown, Mass." |