VARIN, Raoul (1865-1943)

Chicago in 1833 at the Junction of the North and South Branches of the Chicago River

Chicago, A. Ackermann & Son Inc, 1928. Aquatint print. Folio (15½" X 12"). Good plus. Trimmed, though outside the plate mark, which is strong; moderately age toned and lightly soiled, with a touch of spotting and minor scuffing. Though trimmed and somewhat darkened, this remains a fairly attractive example of this heavy stock print "Engraved in aquatint for Mr Ernest Byfield," signed "R. Varin" in bold pencil at lower right. Charming scene depicting this river flowing parallel the foreground, one branch bisecting the scene as it recedes into the horizon. Log structures grace each side, several pairs of men mill about, a woman plays with a boy, two chaps fish at the river's edge while three figures row a boat in the distance. Faintest of green tinting to the background trees. This French artist and engraver produced quite a few well-regarded Chicago city scenes, while this example shows the Windy City in its earliest days. .

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Buchzahl: 46426

Katalog: Prints & Photographs

WARREN, Betty (1920-93)

A Profile of the Southwest

Oneonta, NY, Hartwick College, 1991. Signed print. Folio (16" X 24"). Near fine. Handsome matte finish exhibition poster for this showing at The Museums at Hardwick College, which took place from April 14 to August 4 of 1991. Betty Warren's name appears large across the top in large typeface, while the center is filled with Warren's pencil portrait of an elderly woman, titled "'Grandmother' -- Taos Pueblo, N.M." At lower right of this image , in blue fineline, the artist handsomely signs and inscribes: "To Arnold / From / Betty." Arnold is Arnold F. Gates (1914-93), a noted Lincoln and Civil War scholar and officer of the New York Civil War Round Table. Warren was the daughter of noted Western artist and "Pecos Bill" creator Jack A. Warren, and was a highly-paid portrait artist in her own right; in 1940, at age 20, she became the youngest woman artist to be given a solo exhibit at a major American museum when the Berkshire Museum showcased her work. .

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Buchzahl: 35267

Katalog: Prints & Photographs

WATSON, Ernest W.

Eldorado Classics

Jersey City, NJ, Joseph Dixon Crucible Company, n.y. Suite of 12 black-and-white prints, 4to (8¼" X 11"), housed loose in printed wrappers. Fine/very good. Prints are pristine and bright while wrappers show light edgewear, mainly along centerfold. Attractive portfolio of a dozen prints, all bold pencil sketches by this Massachusetts pencil maestro (1884-1969), an educator, print maker and author of instructional booklets. Opening with a dramatic head-and-shoulders portrait of first century A.D. Roman philosopher Seneca, this series mostly depicts closeups of ancient Roman architectural details. The "Pencil Sales Department" listed alongside the publisher tells you these prints are also a promotional vehicle for pencil products! Not dated, but likely of 1940s vintage. A superb full set of a grouping most often found incomplete. .

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Buchzahl: 47199

Katalog: Prints & Photographs

WATSON, Ernest W.

Eldorado Gothics

Jersey City, NJ, Joseph Dixon Crucible Company, n.y. Suite of 12 black-and-white prints, 4to (8¼" X 11"), housed loose in printed wrappers. Fine/very good. Prints are sharp and pristine, wrappers show mild edgewear, mainly along centerfold. Handsome complete set of 12 prints, all bold pencil sketches by this Massachusetts pencil maestro (1884-1969), an educator, print maker and author of instructional booklets. Each scene depicts a famed European gothic church or specific gothic elements in each. The "Pencil Sales Department" listed alongside the publisher tells you these prints are also a promotional vehicle for pencil products, as does the brief text on each print describing the specific Eldorado pencils used and technique tips! Undated, but seemingly of 1940s vintage. A superb full set of a grouping most often found incomplete. .

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Buchzahl: 47200

Katalog: Prints & Photographs

(CHICAGO -- COLOR LITHOGRAPHS -- E. Whitefield)

E. Whitefield's Views of Chicago

Chicago, E. Whitefield, 1860. Remarkable and rare grouping of five color lithographs from Edwin Whitefield's series of seven downtown Chicago scenes, lithographed and printed by Charles Shober in Chicago. The prints each measure about 10¼" X 18¼", and all are uniformly matted and framed to 26½" X 20½". In order of issuance: "View of Illinois and Michigan Central Depot & c. From the Corner of Madison St. and Michigan Avenue" (1860). "View of Clark & Wells St. Bridges From the Foot of River St." (1861). "View of Michigan Avenue & c. From Sturges & Buckingham's Elevator" (1861). "View of Rush St. Bridge & c. From Nortons Block River St." (1861). "Michigan Terrace Michigan Avenue Looking towards the Central Depot" (1863). Overall very good. The coloring on all are bright and delicate, with mild to moderate age toning evident. Framing is adequate -- basic and edgeworn, but since this is how Governor Stevenson framed them they are part of the story and remain as is. These rare individual prints seldom come on the market, and a near complete set of five of the seven together is extraordinarily unusual. Many were of course lost in the Chicago Fire of 1871. In addition, this rare grouping has an exceptional provenance in that they come from the collection of Adlai E. Stevenson III (1930-2021), former United States senator from Illinois -- who in turn inherited them from his father, Adlai E. Stevenson II (1900-65), two-term Illinois governor and two-time candidate for U.S. president. Their precise history within the family is not recorded, but it seems likely that Governor Stevenson may have displayed them in his offices while a practicing attorney in Chicago in the late 1930s. It's not recorded whether they were handed down to him, but if so they came from his father, Illinois secretary of state Lewis G. Stevenson (1868-1929) or his grandfather, U.S. vice president Adlai E. Stevenson I (1835-1914); it's also possible they were handed down from the governor's other grandfather, Abraham Lincoln's friend and supporter Jesse W. Fell (1808-87). While the frames are rather worn and could easily be replaced, they appear to date from Governor Stevenson's time and therefore represent an integral part of this rare grouping's history. .

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Buchzahl: 37977

Katalog: Prints & Photographs

(YATES, Richard, Jr.) (1860-1936)

Judge Richard Yates

Chicago, Phillips, Greenwald & Schmohl, n.y. Broadside. Folio (19" X 17½"). Good plus. Original single vertical and horizontal mailing folds visible but not weakened; lightly age toned, with homely brownish water spots scattered throughout, clearly visible but not terribly disfiguring; edges slightly trimmed (not affecting his likeness but slightly impeding upon the large "J" at lower left). Near the lithographer's credit at lower left the "Union Label" or seal for the L.I.P. & B.A. appears. A handsome life-size head-and-shoulders three-quarters pose of the up-and-coming ex-judge, with "Judge Richard Yates" along the lower margin in a large typeface. Undated, but likely 1901. The 40-ish Yates -- who with hair parted down the middle and handlebar moustache would fit nicely into any barbershop quartet -- gazes thoughtfully to the viewer's right. His turn-of-the-century outfit includes a high-buttoning suitcoat open to reveal a vest, elaborate striped tie and stiff starched collar -- all nicely accomplished in this fine example of the lithographer's art. Yates had served as a county judge from 1894 to 1897, then won the governorship on the Republican ticket in 1901, serving until 1905 and not seeking reelection; in 1919 he was elected to Congress and served until 1933. Yates' father, Richard Sr. (1815-73), served in Congress (1851-55), as Illinois' war-time governor (1861-65) and as senator (1865-71). Despite prominent browning, this large and striking image is an appealing and scarce piece of political ephemera. .

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Buchzahl: 18787

Katalog: Prints & Photographs