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19th-Century Fashion Advertising, Our Styles For The Present Season, Lithograph

c. 1880

This late 18th-century engraving from Thomas Bankes’ ‘New and Authentic System of Universal Geography’ depicts the evolution of ladies' fashion between 1590 and 1630. In this unusua...

This late 19th-century mixed-method engraving by George Sidney Hunt (1856-1917) after Edwin Long RA (1829-1891) is one in a series of three depicting the Old Testament story of Jephthah. Here, we see Jephthah’s daughter contemplating her fate during a two-month sojourn in the wilderness. The heart-rending story of Jephthah captured Victorian minds and inspired artist Edwin Long to produce three exhibition pieces, which are now held at the Russell Cotes Art Gallery & Museum. Prior to a fearsome battle with the Ammonites, Jephthah, a leader in Isreal, committed a vow to God that he’d make a sacrifice if his armies were triumphant. “whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering...

This late-19th-century etching by German draughtsman Albert Kruger (b. 1858) is after a painting by Max Liebermann (1847-1935). The rhythmical monotony of the spinners, organised like a rigid machine, echoes through the low barn. Youths, hunched by square windows, wind flax onto spindles. While women stand in clogged feet, working tirelessly with aching bones. Liebermann captured their daily grind with aplomb, avoiding sentiment in favour of laborious reality. Yet, amid this harsh environment, he celebrates their efforts. The composition conveys determination with its lines and strong verticals while the atmosphere is one of steel rather than tortuous circumstance. Liebermann was a realist yet he found light among the ordinary. Originally published in The Art Journal...

This exquisite early 20th-century etching by Swedish artist Axel Wallert (1890-1962) depicts a seated woman playing the mandolin. It’s brimming with style yet captured with sensitivi...

This charming mid-19th-century hand-coloured lithograph depicts the ‘Enterprise Steam Omnibus’, the most successful steam carriage of its period. In the early 19th century, long-distance travel was predominantly undertaken by horse-drawn carriages. Yet, every so often, the clitter-clatter of hooves was abruptly overshadowed by the whir of steam-powered technology. From around 1801, several plucky inventors began developing carriages which could propel themselves via steam. The majority were notoriously unreliable, often breaking down, too slow to be practical, and occasionally exploding. The first steam-powered carriage, invented by Richard Trevithick of Cornwall, made its debut in 1801. It was known as ‘The Puffing Devil’ or ‘Captain Dick’s Puffer’ and said to cause quite a fright when trundling towards you. But this, like several others, couldn’t sustain the rigours of regular long distance trips, which were required to support the cost of running them. Walter Hancock’s (1799-1852) carriages were different. They became the first to run regularly - initially from Stratford and London via the ‘Infant’, a ten-seater bus, and in 1833, between London Wall and Paddington via ‘The Enterprise’, which we see here. Hancock’s machines were revolutionary due to his patented steam boiler (which had less risk of exploding). The Enterprise also had a pioneering suspended engine along with several other clever additions. Driving it was a tricky affair with three operators required - one to steer and control the speed, a second to monitor the boiler’s water level, and a third to maintain the fire. It’s unclear how the three communicated over the omnipresent din. In total, Hancock’s machines carried 12,761 passengers across 4,200 miles, an incredible achievement given the constraints of the day and the condition of the roads. The Enterprise was lauded in Europe and the US, with this particular image featuring in the New York press. The lithograph is based upon an earlier engraving...

This charming portrait of Miss Smernove by British artist, James Stephanoff (1784-1874) is rendered with a masterful touch. It depicts the confident young lady wearing a white high-w...

Lithograph with hand tinting on heavy wove paper, full margins. Significant condition issues in the margins which include adhesive residue, edge tears and minor edge losses. The image area is clean with minor mat tone, however, colors are slightly attenuated. The verso shows moderate uneven toning. Issues primarily exist outside of the image area. This large and lively work was printed by Charles Hullmandel. _______ The images in Boys's 1842 portfolio, Original Views of London...

Lithograph in colors with engraving on buff wove paper. Each of the two images measures 10 3/4 x 6 5/8 inches (271 x 167 mm), with the sheet measuring 14 1/4 x 20 1/2 inches (360 x 5...

Pugin, Augustus Charles & Rowlandson, Thomas (after). College of Physicians, from Ackermann's "Microcosm of London." London: Rudolph Ackermann, 1808. Hand-colored lithograph, 9 1/4 ...

London: Charles Joseph Hullmandel, 1839. Oil stick color lithograph on cream wove paper, 14 3/16 x 11 inches; (360 x 280 mm), full margins. Scattered light yellow spots of discolora...

London: Tallis & Co., 1851 Lithograph on cream wove paper, 11 3/4 x 15 3/4 inches (297 x 398 mm), with vaulted margins at the top sheet edge. Significant toning, and some edge wear. ...

Lithograph in colors on card stock (as issued), 15 x 10 5/8 inches (380 x 268 mm), full margins. In good condition with some minor toning and some extremely minor and unobtrusive edg...