Woodcut print on tan, wove paper, done in black ink and hand colored, rectangular shape with vertical orientation. Paper print is mounted with three hinges on cream-colored matboard. Frame is a simple 19th century square profile, brown frame (not original to artwork) with hanging ring at top edge.
Within a single-line border is an image of a female scrivener, in profile, facing viewers left. She is dressed in a blue Empire gown and seated on a tan klismos chair with a strange device underneath (a green pyramid supporting a ball which in turn is surrounded with red balls). Woman has red dot on cheek as well as in a void in her hair. She holds a feather quill in her left hand and a book held up in right hand. Upper left corner of print has a red line painted to delineate a triangle which is painted blue.
Heavily inked lines and large expanses such as hair, book and shoes. All paint is semi-transparent watercolor except for the red which is very thick, opaque and now cracking.
Image is attributed to David Bixler (farmer and folk artist) who produced hand-colored prints such as this as well as portraits, maps, decorated auction bills, taufscheins, religious texts, flowers, etc. He also cut tombstones. See article written by Miriam E. Bixler as well as Papers for Birth Dayes, both in the paper file.
Provenance
This Bixler print is from the Paul Flack collection and is only being brokered through Ron Trauger.
See also: P02.17.1 a Bixler print of stag, P02.27.1-2 prints by Clement Bixler.
Generally very good except for two significant U-shaped tears near top where someone tried to pull piece away from the hinges. (A third hinge holds piece 1/3 from bottom.) Small dog-eared corner at top right. Darkened paper overall. A test of the pH pen indicates all mounting board is neutral or acid-free.
Object ID
P.01.59.1
Notes
David Bixler and his brother Absolam (d. 1884, a potter, woodcarver and farmer) were sons of Abraham Bixler (d. 1847) who owned a sawmill on Muddy Creek in Brecknock Twp. David Bixler lived on the road from Dry Tavern to Reamstown in Brecknock Twp.
Consult paper file for references, prices and copy of "David Bixler, Folk Artist" by Miriam E. Bixler, published in the Journal of the Lancaster County Historical Society, vol. 81, No. 1, 1977.
Image of Trinity Lutheran Church. 1800's. New brick facade, wrought iron grate/fence surrounding building's sides. Steeple now integrated with building's face.
2 copies of image (etching) of cows in river, a small waterfall, a boater: "Lancaster City Water-Works, on the Conestoga River. / (from a drawing made expressly for Godey's Lady's Book)" Also, glued to a separate brown paper is a description and history of "The Lancaster City Water-Works" cut from the magazine.
Reverse of loose copy shows two women attired in "August Fashions."
Full-length mezzotint portrait of George Washington in a dignified pose, after a painting by Peter Frederick Rothermel. Washington rests one hand on a dress sword emblematic of his military leadership; the other on an upright book. He is in front of an alcove and armchair with the U. S. shield at its crest. Likely published by R. A. Bachia & Co., 12 Dey St., New York, NY in 1852.
Large color lithograph print adhered to acidic paperboard backing. Depicts scenic farmstead where Robert Fulton was born.
In the foreground is a road running left to right with trees and fencing on either side. There is a passenger coach with four galloping horses left of center and a man and woman riding horses to the right. Another tree-lined road joins this road near the center of the print and disappears into the horizon. On this road is a wagon with two riders. To the left of the road is a large farmhouse and outbuildings. On the right side is a barn with outbuildings.
Below the scene is written: "A VIEW OF THE/ BIRTH PLACE OF ROBERT FULTON/ LANCASTER COUNTY, STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA." In the center of this sentence, within a circle, Robert Fulton is depicted in high style clothing in front of a waterfront showing a steamship to the side. Below this portrait is a history of Robert Fulton.
Under the left corner of the farm scene is written, "Drawn by John H. Sherwin." Under the right corner is "L.N. Rosenthal's lith. Philad.a"
Heavily darkened and soiled. Darkening around edges and streak down left side. Moisture stains at top edge, lower right corner, and bottom left corner and edge , Mildew spots in center of print. some foxing and faded spots in places overall. Two small brown stains at bottom edge, center. Attached to cardboard backer.
Color lithograph of Empress Eugenie. The lithograph was created from an original painting by F. Winterhalter. The Empress is standing on a platform, her body facing left, head turned front, her right hand raised over a jewelled crown that sits atop of a gold trimmed brown pillow on a red and gold trimmed table; a gold embroidered arm chair is behind her. The Empress is wearing a a long pearl necklace over her white double flounced evening gown trimmed in lace and enhanced by a green bustle as well as a blue and white sash. She wears a jeweled bracelet on both arms, a pearl tiara with a small pearl crown atop her chignon veil.
Same as preceeding print. Black and white engraving of James Buchanan. Subject is standing between a chair and a table, holding a book that is resting on the table. Signature below, with smaller print: "Engraved by permission from the original in the possession of J.C. Buttre, Esq." and additional print below it. Mixture of etching and engraving. Johnson Fry & Co., Publishers.
Dimensions are image only. Page is 10.25" x 7.125"
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2016-06-28
Condition Notes
Darkened around edges from acid burn. Dark spots at top from tape bleed-through. Reverse has linen tape hinges remaining on top of previous taped area.
Object ID
2013.008.03
Place of Origin
New York, New York
Credit
Gift of the Family of Eleanor N. Henry (John D. McNeill Jr., Mary Catherine Henry West, James Buchanan Henry IV, and Elizabeth Henry Richardson)
Black & white lithograph of James Buchanan. Dark print of subject, 3/4 length, standing, turned slightly to the right, looking at viewer. Dressed in formal attire, he appears younger than in most images. He is holding a book in his left hand and resting it on a round table.
Buchanan's signature appears along bottom of print and a miniature image of Wheatland appears to the left
In small print at top left is "Copyrighted in 1901 by the Gravure Company of America." Printed according to copyright of 1901; image & engraving done much earlier.
Three parallel, oblique scratches at bottom of image upwards. Paper is acid burned, particularly around edges. Reverse has sticky tape residue along edges, all four sides.
Object ID
2013.008.05
Credit
Gift of the Family of Eleanor N. Henry (John D. McNeill Jr., Mary Catherine Henry West, James Buchanan Henry IV, and Elizabeth Henry Richardson)
