Palisade Rocks on the Hudson River, Constitution and Guerriere, circa 1850
€ 185
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
circa 1850
Mapmaker / artist
Not named on the sheet
Publisher
J. and F. Tallis, London
Technique
Steel Engraving
Coloring
Uncolored
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-13999-37
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Complete sheet, edges straight and without nicks. Even age toning, lightly soiled along the top edge. Scattered light foxing and one larger brown spot in the margin.
About this sheet
This is an original antique steel engraving, uncolored, lettered below the view "THE PALISADE ROCKS ON THE HUDSON RIVER, WEST BANK, NEW YORK." Sheer, vertically fissured cliffs topped with trees rise along the left side and run away into the distance. At their foot a small landing with a hut, a horse and a few figures stands beside a moored sailing barge. Out on the choppy river a small sailboat heels in the wind at the right, a steamboat trails smoke in the distance, and other sails dot the horizon under a dark, stormy sky with gulls overhead.
The uncaptioned emblem above the view shows two sailing warships engaged at close range, smoke between them. Below at left, a vignette lettered "ACTION BETWEEN THE CONSTITUTION AND LA GUERRIERE, 1812." shows a frigate under sail beside a dismasted ship, men clinging to wreckage in the water. At right, "ACTION BETWEEN THE WASP AND THE FROLIC. 1812" shows two ships exchanging fire, one flying the American flag. No artist or engraver credit is lettered under the view. The imprint at the foot reads "J. & F. TALLIS, LONDON, EDINBURGH, & DUBLIN."
The plate belongs to the History of the United States of America, edited by John Howard Hinton (1791 to 1873), the English Baptist minister and author, and published by J. and F. Tallis about 1850. J. and F. Tallis were London publishers of illustrated works sold in parts around the middle of the nineteenth century, and the plates of this edition set a central steel engraved view inside an engraved ornamental border with small lettered vignettes of episodes from American history. The USS Constitution defeated the British frigate Guerriere in August 1812.
A good choice for a collection of Hudson River views or naval subjects.
This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed. Any framed or interior images are shown for presentation and inspiration only, unless the listing explicitly states that the item is sold framed.
