1859 Lithograph – England and America – The Visit of Her Majesty Queen Victoria…

Mon, 12/21/2009 - 19:00

Ok, this is just getting crazy now. As I mentioned in a previous post, I’m helping a friend of mine deal with his late aunt’s estate. I’ve been friends with the family most of my life. During this process, he has offered me a couple of the items in her collection. Perhaps as a thank you for the help, or just because he knows I like this sort of stuff. Regardless, I’ve acquired a couple of absolutely stunning antiques.

The latest is this:

From what I can tell it’s the real deal. I’m no expert, but there are pictures from the late 1800′s with this item on the wall in the background. I can see the impression from the plate, and after studying it for some time it’s pretty clear (at least to me) that it’s an authentic, 150 year-old engraving print.

The title, in full is:

England and America. The visit of her majesty Queen Victoria to the Arctic ship Resolute – December 16th, 1856
To whom this engraving is by special permission respectfully dedicated by her obedient servants, P. & D. Colnaghi & Co.

The size is as impressive as the image. It’s enormous:

You can see the impression in the paper from the engraving press. It’s not printed in a conventional sense, more like pressed onto the paper:

If anyone has any information about this print, I would be interested to hear what you know. All I’ve been able to learn, is that the original painting is hanging in the library of congress. I don’t know how rare it is, or if it’s even worth anything. I just know it’s very, very cool. I’m pumped!