Stecher Lithograph (3 results)

1. Original-Lithographie von Canu (im Stein signiert) auf rückseitig unbedrucktem Büttenblatt mit dekorativ abgesetztem Plattenrand, Blattgröße ca. 23 x 15 cm, sehr gut erhalten 2100 gr.

Zusammen 3 SS. 4to. An den Maler, Kunstautor und Sekretär der Society of Graphic Arts Frank L. Emmanuel (18651948). I: [] I am so sorry my chance remark to Salaman created you the trouble of so long a letter: but it is very good of you to write me so fully []" (Br. v. 8. April 1920). II: I have duly received from your secretary the initiative to become an Hon. member of the Graphic Art Society. Will you please convey to the Council my thanks for the honour they do me in making this proposal which I fully appreciate But I have so many irons in the fire and so little time [] " (Br. v. 19. Mai 1920). III: [] It was this fear for I am rather terrified at the way it roles up rather like a big snowball that made me shrink from accepting more responsibility: but you and Duff assure me that it will not mean work, but an honour to me and good will to you (which you had anyway); and so may I withdraw my former letter, and accept the honour you offer me []" (Br. v. 7. Juni 1920). Als Meister seiner Kunst hatte Short großen Einfluß auf seine Zeitgenossen wie auf die Studenten des Royal College of Art. Durch seine vollendete Beherrschung der etwas in Vergessenheit geratenen Mezzo- und Aquatintotechnik trug er wesentlich zur Wiederbelebung und zur hervorragenden Qualität der englischen Drucke zwischen den Weltkriegen bei.

Condition: Very Good. Late Victorian nursery salesman's sample book of chromolithographic plates advertising fruits, nuts, and flowers. 55 unnumbered color plates including title, each approx. 8 x 5-1/2 inches, descriptive text at lower edge. Early homemade covers of coarse-weave brown cloth over boards, marbled endpapers. Very Good with lean to spine, offsetting to blank facing pages, and light toning and moderate soiling throughout. Some plates annotated with pricing, date 1888 (likely taken from copyright year on several plates) written on title page. Remnant of paper label once tipped to back free endpaper laid in. The Stecher Lithograph Company opened in Rochester, New York in 1887. The city was a leading American nursery center, and the nursery salesmen needed colorful and enticing images to sell their wares. The mass reproduction of photographs wasn't yet possible, and chromolithography was advertisers' medium of choice. The resulting images are painterly and brilliant. Most of the plates follow the common practice of shading by layering color over a neutral-tint underlayer, but a few shade strictly with color, creating an almost abstract effect. Several plates combine lithography with the new technique of half-tone printing. A charming and scarce bit of Americana marking the changing times.