- 9
Harvey, George
Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 USD
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Description
- Harvey's Scenes of the Primitive Forest of America, at the four periods of the year, Spring, Summer, Autumn & Winter, engraved from his original paintings, accompanied by descriptive letter-press. London: Ackerman & Co., 1841
- aquatint plates on card; varnish; linen and card
Folio (19 1/2 x 16 in.; 505 x 405 mm). 4 hand-colored aquatint plates on card, heightened with varnish, by W.J. Bennett after paintings by Harvey, each with a round blind-stamp of Harvey's initials and printed American copyright in upper margin, plates numbered 2-5 as issued; block cleanly separated from binding, closed tear to one text leaf with old repair on blank verso, front endpaper foxed and chipped, minor marginal edge tears to text leaves, foxing to plates mostly confined to blank margins. Publisher's linen-backed gray card covers printed in gold; some rubbing and fading, a stray spot or two to upper cover.
Literature
Abbey, Travel 652; Bennett p. 52 ("exceedingly rare"); Sabin 30772
Condition
see cataloguing
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
First edition of an exceeding rare American color plate work. Harvey called his work "atmospheric or dioramic effects" and the four illustrations depict two scenes in Ohio, one in Upper Canada and another in the West. The misnumbering of the plates is explained by the prospectus on the the rear cover, which details the full complement of 40 plates the artist intended to issue, including an illustrated title page.
The present copy carries a London imprint, but the work was also issued simultaneously or nearly so in New York. Abbey says the plates were produced in New York, while the dedication (dated January 1842) and title for the London issue were supplied. The last two copies sold at auction (in 1988 and 1986) both carried the New York imprint, so presumably the present is the more scarce issue.