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1772, Woodblock Printing by Bartholomew GREEN

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,800.00 USD Estimated At:2,800.00 - 3,600.00 USD
1772, Woodblock Printing by Bartholomew GREEN
Colonial America
Lot of Three Colonial Woodblock Printing Plates Depicting an Eclipse and a Crescent Moon, by Bartholomew Green & a Partial Eclipse by Christopher Sower
c. 1727-1772, Woodblock Printing Plate Depicting an Eclipse and a Crescent Moon, by Bartholomew Green, and Other Printers, Lot of Three, Choice Very Fine.
These three woodblock printing plates depict astronomical events, and served as illustrations for almanacs of the period, as indicated by Elizabeth Reilly in “Colonial American Printers’ Ornaments & Illustrations” (1975). Each of these woodblocks were used to create illustrations similar to those reproduced in Reilly’s book--the original colonial prints, almanacs or pamphlets are housed at the American Antiquarian Society in Worcester.

1. A detailed woodblock plate, depicting the eclipse of a light and a dark moon, with a small crescent moon at the center, produced by Bartholomew Green, Boston, 1727, as indicated by Reilly, image #1899, p. 471. It measures 1.5” x 1.25”, 3/4” thick, with dark surface patina.

2. The second woodblock depicts a small, banded moon with inscribed stars in the lower half. Unlisted in Reilly but similar to others. It measures 1” square, 3/4” thick, with nice dark coloration. An exceptional image.

3. The third woodblock depicts a thick crescent across the top of a partially eclipsed moon, produced by Christopher Sower, Germantown, 1772; Reilly #1954, p. 478. It measures 1.25” square, 3/4” thick, with dark-ink surface patina, and separated into two halves along an age split.

Ex-Sotheby’s Sale 7683, June 26, 2001. (3 items)