Views illustrating Nova Scotia - photo 1

Views illustrating Nova Scotia

Lot 82
16.06.2023 16:00UTC -05:00
Classic
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$ 18 900
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
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ID 965090
Lot 82 | Views illustrating Nova Scotia
Estimate value
$ 15 000 – 25 000
Views illustrating Nova Scotia
J.E. Woolford, Halifax, 1819
WOOLFORD, John Elliott (1779-1866). The First Series of a Selection of Views illustrating Nova Scotia. [Halifax: J. E. Woolford, 1819].

Woolford's extremely rare views of Halifax, complete. The first set of its kind to be printed and published in Canada. There are only two sets in the auction records of RBH, the present one and the Quentin Keynes copy sold in 2004. Even the individual prints are exceptionally rare; as noted below very few must have been printed and each one was somewhat experimental. Trained as a military draughtsman, Woolford went on to leave his mark in Canada as an architect; the Old Government House in Fredericton, New Brunswick was designed by him and was declared a National Historic Site in 1958. The plates in the present work are titled as follows:
1. "Architectural Elevation of the Province Building"
2. "Perspective View of the Province Building from the N.E."
3. "Government House from the N.E."
4. "Government House from the S.W."

This stated "first series" is all that was published. "In 1819 Woolford drew, etched, and published four views of Halifax. These were issued with a title-page wrapper – the first set of its kind to be printed and published in Canada ... The Halifax views were etched in outline and aquatint and printed in subtle colours. The inking varies in each print noted. The principal colour of the subjects is either brown or yellow-ochre. In addition, two of the views show foreground figures printed in red aquatint, and some impressions are inked with a third colour, pale blue, to define the sky and trees. Woolford must have printed very few impressions of these rare views, inking the plate each time and experimenting with colour changes as he proceeded. As suggested in Woolford’s advertisement, most examples have also been coloured by hand. Despite the careful printing, the titles of several impressions noted are slightly off register" (Allodi). Allodi, Printmaking in Canada, nos.17-20; Bobins 1480. See also Harper Early Painters and Engravers in Canada, Toronto, 1970, p.339

Oblong folio (225 x 330mm, sheet size of plates). Engraved throughout; title with integral dedication "To his Excellency Lieutenant General George Earl of Dalhousie...," 4 hand-colored etched and aquatint plates (2 printed in bistre, 2 printed in bistre and green), all by and after Woolford. (The five engravings trimmed to neat lines on three sides, three captions just barely shaved, a little soiling/cleaning.) Tipped to modern mounts, matted; modern quarter morocco solander case. Provenance: The Winkworth Collection: A Treasure House of Canadiana in London (Christie's, 1 April 2015, lot 259).Woolford, J.E.
Nova Scotia
Canada
Place of origin:Canada
Auction house category:Printed books
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
20 Rockefeller Plaza
10020 New York
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16.06.2023
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