John Speed Art

This colorful and detailed 17th century copperplate map by Frederick De Wit was published in Amsterdam between 1666 and 1690. It depicts the Caspian Se...

This is an exclusive handprinted limited edition cyanotype. This beautiful cyanotype is titled "Long Wave in Venice Beach" and it shows an outstanding wave in one of the most iconic ...

Work on paper Ed: 63/75

"A Dance in Otaheite" (Tahiti) is an engraving created by William Sharp (1749-1824), from a drawing by John Webber (1752-1793), who was the artist on Captain James Cook's 3rd and final voyage of discovery. It is a plate in the atlas of "A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean Undertaken by the Command of His Majesty, for Making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere", the official British Admirality sanctioned journal published upon completion of the voyage in London in 1784 by Strahan & Cadell. Two women and two men wearing ceremonial costumes, performing a dance outdoors standing on a mat. Three men are playing the drums in the background, in front of a thatched roof building. An audience of men are sitting on both sides of the stage. By the time Webber arrived in Tahiti, 'south sea' imagery had become familiar. Webber gave concentrated attention to dance. He had the opportunity to distinguish the Tahitian dance from the more formalized dancing of Tonga. Whereas they seem to have called to mind the more formal dances of antiquity, the Tahitian dancing aroused memories of peasant and folk dancing. This engraving is professionally framed in Koa wood. Koa wood is legendary in Hawaii. Not only is this amazing wood native to Hawaii, but it is known for the deep rich colors and varied grain pattern. Koa has an honored heritage in Hawaii and is highly revered and sacred. The word “koa” means “warrior” in Hawaiian. The warriors of King Kamehameha the Great, created canoes and weapons from a wood plentiful on the Big Island of Hawaii. This wood became synonymous with the warriors themselves, and it became known as koa. The print is in excellent condition. There are three other engravings listed from the official journal of Captain Cook's 3rd voyage available that are presented in identical Koa wood frames and double mats (LU117324682432, LU117324684052, LU117324684062). They would make a wonderful grouping for a display of 2, 3 or 4 prints. A discount is available for a grouping depending on the number of items included. Hawaii was discovered by Captain Cook during this voyage. Hawaii was originally called The Sandwich Islands in honor of The Earl of Sandwich...

A large hand colored 17th century map of England and the British Isles by Frederick de Wit entitled "Accuratissima Angliæ Regni et Walliæ Principatus", published in Amsterdam in 1680. It is a highly detailed map of England, Scotland, the Scottish Isles...

This is an exclusive handprinted limited edition cyanotype. "Pacific Ocean Currents" is a handmade cyanotype print of rough water texture resembling Pacific Ocean swell. Details: + ...

Title: 17th-Century Antique Map of Nanjing Province, China – "Nanking sive Kiangnan" by Blaeu, with Decorative Details Description: This captivating 17th-century map of Nanjing Pr...

Artist: Johannes "Jan" Kip (Dutch, 1652/3-1722) Title: "The West Prospect of the Cathedral of York" (Vol. 3, Plate 31) Portfolio: Britannia Illustrata / Le Nouveau Théâtre de la Grande Bretagne Year: 1715-1724 (Third edition) Medium: Original Engraving and Etching on cream laid paper Limited edition: Unknown Printer: Joseph Smith, London, UK Publisher: Joseph Smith, London, UK Reference: "London Illustrated 1604-1850" - Adams No. 22; Crace No. 201; Brunet IV No. 114; Lowndes No. 1277; Lewine page 263-264 Sheet size: 19.25" x 24.19" Image size: 16.75" x 22.5" Condition: With centerfold as issued. Some light toning and foxing mainly in margins, and some light edgewear. Has been professionally stored away for decades. It is otherwise a strong impression in very good condition Rare Notes: Provenance: private collection - Ross-on-Wye, UK. Engraved by Dutch artist Johannes "Jan" Kip (1652/3-1722) after a drawing by Dutch artist Leonard Knyff or Leendert Knijff (1650-1722). Comes from Kip's six volume (including Supplement and 'Atlas Anglois') "Britannia Illustrata" / Le Nouveau Théâtre de la Grande Bretagne", (1724-1728) (Third edition), which consists of 394 engravings and etchings. Printed in one color from one copper plate: black. Biography: Johannes "Jan" Kip (1652/53 in Amsterdam - 1722 in Westminster) was a Dutch draftsman, engraver and print dealer. Together with Leonard Knyff, he made a speciality of engraved views of English country houses. Kip was a pupil of Bastiaen Stopendaal (1636–1707), from 1668 to 1670, before setting up on his own; his earliest dated engravings are from 1672. In April 1680, at the age of 27, he married Elisabeth Breda in Amsterdam. After producing works for the court of William of Orange in Amsterdam, Kip followed William and Mary to London and settled in St. John Street in Farringdon, where he conducted a thriving printselling business. He also worked for various London publishers producing engravings after such artists as Francis Barlow (c. 1626–1704) and Caius Gabriel Cibber (1630–1700), largely for book illustrations. He made several engraved plates for Awnsham & John Churchill's "A Collection of Voyages & Travels" (first published 1704). He signed the African scenes in volume V of the 1732 edition as "J. Kip". His most important works were the large fold-out folio illustrations for "Britannia Illustrata", 1708; for the 65 folio plates he engraved for the antiquary Sir Robert Atkyns, "The Ancient and Present State of Glostershire", 1712 (1st edition); and for "Le Nouveau Théâtre de la Grande Bretagne ou description exacte des palais de la Reine, et des Maisons les plus considerables des des Seigneurs & des Gentilshommes de la Grande Bretagne", 1715, an extended reprint in collaboration with other artists. The linked careers of Jan Kip and Leonard Knyff made a specialty of engraved views of English country houses, represented in detail from the bird's-eye view, a pictorial convention for topography. Their major work was "Britannia Illustrata: Or Views of Several of the Queens Palaces, as Also of the Principal seats of the Nobility and Gentry of Great Britain, Curiously Engraven on 80 Copper Plates", London (1707, published in the winter of 1708–9). The volume is among the most important English topographical publications of the 18th century. Architecture is rendered with care, and the settings of parterres and radiating avenues driven through woods or planted across fields, garden paths, gates and toolsheds are illustrated in detail. The images are staffed with figures and horses, coaches pulling into forecourts, water...

Wonderful set of 6 vintage maps. Random American states including Maine, Utah, New Hampshire, Nevada, Vermont and New Mexico. Monochrome with red color outline. Published by Rand,...

'Sister' , by contemporary printmaker and artist Rosie McLay (British) Edition 59 of 75 in total, handmade etching by the artist. Ink on paper layed on Dutch gold leaf. Hand etched ...

A rich and tonal image of an icon of Manhattan architecture. Etching with drypoint, 11 7/8 x 7 3/8 inches (300 x 186 mm), full margins. Edition of 100. Signed in pencil, lower right...

A peaceful image by Britian's first official war artist. Drypoint printed in brownish black ink on fibrous, laid Japon paper, 3 3/8 x 6 5/16 inches (85 x 161 mm), full margins. Sign...