Mar 31, 2001, The B. H. Manuscript/Collectible/Philatelic Sale, Sale 9

Fine Art

Lot 1033
Anthropological Illustration. Dress of the Grandees Dress of the King's Wives of Widah. Etching on paper, engraved by G. Child. Circa 1725. Plate 185, no. 105, volume 21, pg. 396. Sheet size: 9½ x 15". Light buckling at edges, a few folds in the margins, and light time staining at edges. In good to very good condition overall.

This illustration of African culture presents guidelines for the proper dress of a Grandees king and his wife. The lower register reveals a depiction of a local god named Agoye, as well as a scene of a priestess before a human sacrifice.
Estimated Value $150-200.

Lot 1034
Birch, William and Thomas. Artists, engravers. The Birch father and son team collaborated on the first series of views of any American city (their preference was Philadelphia), thereby creating a visual record of great historical importance. Thomas created many of the images used by his father, a master printmaker.

"South East Corner of Third, and Market Streets". Engraving on paper from the Views of the City of Philadelphia. Measuring 11 x 9". Staining and foxing, a vertical crease at center and 1" repaired tear at upper left.

In colorful detail, our street-scene captures the bustling activity of the most cosmopolitan American city of the late 1700s. This view depicts merchants and vendors conducting business as sunlight shines dramatically against the side of a building.
Estimated Value $500-600.

Lot 1035
Christy, Howard Chandler (1872-1952). American illustrator and portraitist. Displaying artistic talent at an early age, Chandler studied under William Merritt Chase and began working illustrating periodicals. During World War I Christy's posters promoting government war bonds, the Red Cross, and volunteers popularized the "Christy Girl" -- a beautiful and emancipated woman. Christy's sitters included Presidents, society women, celebrities, and military leaders.

"Portrait of a Handsome Cowboy." Ink and gouache on paper. Signed at the lower center, "Howard Chandler Christy". Measuring 13¼ x 22¼", by sight. Matted and framed to an overall size of 22¼ x 31¾". Mat burns, a dime sized waterstain at left center edge, possibly laid down. In very good condition overall.

Wearing a checkered kerchief, this cowboy is pictured in profile -- a pose that only offers only a suggestion of the warm, friendly face that might be revealed should the sitter turn his head.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.

Lot 1036
[Early Etching]. A Ghanian Tribal Ceremony. "Coronation of the King of Whidah, April 1725, from Marchais". Etching on paper, engraved by G. Child. Circa 1725. Plate 170, no. 97, volume. 2, pg. 374. Sheet size: 15 x 9½". Light stains in margins. Otherwise in fine condition.

Delicately depicting a royal coronation, this etching presents a tribal ceremony with numerous slaves and noblemen.
Estimated Value $150-200.

Lot 1037
[Early Etching]. African Circumcision. Circumcision of the Negros from Labat. Etching on paper. Circa 1732. Plate 158, no. 91, volume 2, pg. 359. Sheet size: 15 x 9½". Very light stains affecting the image, light foxing, and yellowing at edges. In good condition.

As drummers lead the way, a train of men process towards a sacrificial altar, evidently used for ceremonial circumcisions.
Estimated Value $150-200.

Lot 1038
[Early Etching]. The Hottentot Culture. 1. Hottentot Corn Threshing from Kolben / Hottentot Marriage from Kolben. Etching on paper. Circa 1730. Plate 204, no. 116, volume 2, pg. 415. Sheet size: 15 x 9½". Light time staining, foxing and buckling at edges. In good condition overall. 2. Hottentot Man & Woman. Etching on paper. Circa 1730. Plate 201, no. 115, volume 2, pg. 407. Sheet size: 15 x 9½". Light stains and foxing. In good condition overall.

Though largely only known for their characteristic "clicking" language, and the display of the "Hottentot Venus", this etching illustrates two Hottentot rituals: a corn threshing -- likely a ceremony in honor of the god Tsui-Goab, and a marriage ceremony picturing a group of tribesmen huddled in a circle.
Estimated Value $150-250.

Lot 1039
Etching of Henry Clay. "Portrait of Henry Clay." Etching on paper with hand tinting. Image size: 8½ x 12" (likely trimmed). Framed under glass to an overall size of 13 x 17". Glass has been painted with black border. Spots of foxing throughout. Still, very attractive and in good condition.

Believed to be a Currier & Ives print, this stately portrayal presents the "Great Orator" standing in his office as books and manuscripts lay strewn about his desk.
Estimated Value $300-400.

Lot 1040
Finster, Howard and David Levine. 1. Original drawing (13 x 8") by American folk artist and illustrator Howard Finster. Ink and crayon on paper. Stylized bird with twig in its mouth surrounded by bright colored faces. Signed boldly in black marker with Finster's distinctive signature. Matted to 17 x 11¾." In very good condition. 2. Original etching (3½ x 3") by American painter and illustrator David Levine. Alert dog looks out of the picture. Dated 1958. Inscribed and signed in pencil. In very good condition.
Estimated Value $150-250.

Lot 1041
Flagg, James Montgomery. [1877-1960]. American illustrator and poster artist best known for the famous World War One poster of Uncle Sam with caption reading: "I Want You". Flagg created some 46 posters for the U.S. government.

"Portrait of a Woman with a Black Bonnet." Watercolor on paper. Signed at the lower right, "James Montgomery Flagg". Measuring 14¼ x 17½", by sight. Matted and framed to an overall size of 25 x 29". Small water stains at the upper center. In very good to fine condition overall.

With an intriguing expression, this youthful woman coyly looks off to her side.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.

Lot 1042
Giguere, George (early 20th Century). American illustrator specializing in war and western genres.

Here we offer three original paintings by George Giguere created for men's adventure magazines. Including: 1. "Call of the North". Watercolor on paper laid down. Signed "George Giguere" at the lower right. Measuring 10½ x 12½". Water stains, remnants of an adhesive and soiling in margins. 2. "The Departure". Watercolor on board. Signed "George Giguere" at the lower right. Measuring 15¼ x 17". Board is buckled, soiling and foxing, mostly in margins, some water damage. 3. "Spawn of the North". Watercolor and gouache on paper laid down. Signed "George Giguere" at the lower right. Measuring 12½ x 14¼". Staining at edges, buckling, two 1" horizontal folds at left edge. Overall, the group is in fair to good condition.

With a common nautical motif, these three watercolors illustrate vignettes of a sassy blonde with hands on her hips, a red-headed woman yearning for the coast, and a frontiersman rowing a canoe at the mercy of the woman pointing a rifle.
Estimated Value $600-750.

Lot 1043
Men's Adventure Magazine Illustrations. Here we offer three original paintings created for men's adventure magazines. Includes: 1. "Jacket Drawing for 'Sunsmoke in Sunset Valley'". Watercolor on board. Measuring 15½ x 18". Artist's pencil notations in margin. Soiling and foxing, mostly in margins, board is buckled. 2. "A Young Couple Looking at the Moon Over the Edge of a Bridge". Signed, "Holm Gren" at the lower right. Watercolor collage on paper. Measuring 13¼ x 13¾". Water stained, one pinhole at upper center in margin, paper is buckled. 3. "Woman Gazing into the Blue Beyond". Watercolor and pastel collage on board. Measuring 16 x 19". Water stained at upper and left edges, margins are considerably soiled which is easily matted out. Overall, the group is in fair to good condition.

Colorfully capturing the essence of the 50s, this collection of illustrations features images of a classic cowboy, a sultry blonde, and young sweethearts.
Estimated Value $600-750.

Lot 1044
Rittenhouse, David. Here we offer two illustration plates from the book "Astronomy" graphically depicting the observations of David Rittenhouse. The first, entitled "The Moon in Her Mean Libration" pictures the surface of the moon, while the second relates to Rittenhouse's work with Venus. Sheet sizes measure 8¼ x 10¼". Both are lightly yellowed, with minor spots and foxing. Small paper loss to two corners. Accompanied by a 6¼ x 8¼" etching of the astronomer. The group is in fine condition overall.
Estimated Value $75-125.

Lot 1045
Vanity Fair "SPY" Prints. Vanity Fair, a weekly magazine with social, literary and political content, was hugely popular in Victorian and Edwardian England. Among Vanity Fair's many offerings were full page caricatures of famous personages of the day, and it is these illustrations that remain popular today. The most famous artists working for the weekly were "Spy" (Leslie Ward -- whose nickname lent it self to the whole genre) and "Ape" (Carlo Pellegrini), but many other popular artists, including "Lib" (Liberio Prosperi), worked on the various series of caricatures.

Lot of three chromolithographs from Vanity Fair. Image size for all prints: 9 x 14½" and each has been matted and framed to 17 x 23½". None examined out of frame. 1. Blackburne, J.H. "Chess". Men of the Day, no. 402. June 2, 1888. Drawn by Lib. Minor toning. Fine condition. 2. Rodney, Lord "a pupil". Men of the Day, no. 413. November 10, 1886. Drawn by Ape. Minor toning. Fine condition. 3. Saunderson, Colonel Edward James "Irish loyalty". Statesmen, no. 513. February 26, 1887. Drawn by Ape. Minor toning, small area of discolored tape residue at top center border. Very good condition.
Estimated Value $150-200.