[1835]. · Basel
by Stobwasser, L.
Basel, [1835].. Four aquatint engravings, 12 1/2 x 18 inches. Laid into original printed wrappers. A very slight bit of soiling or a faint fox mark along edges, but the images are crisp and clean. Near fine, in original condition. In a folding case, gilt morocco label. A lovely suite of four aquatint plates depicting scenes on Antigua, in the Leeward Islands of the West Indies. The engravings were made from original work by L. Stobwasser, with the first plate engraved by Hegi and the following three by Hürliman. The entire project was commissioned by the Moravian Church as a way of promoting their work on the island. The first plate shows slaves at rest before the Moravian mission house in the capital of St. Johns, and the other three show scenes of field workers, plantation houses, and the Antiguan landscape. The plates are as follows:
1) "Vue de l'Establissement des Missions a St. Johns dans l'Isle d'Antigon aux Indes occidentales." A group of seven Antiguans, young and old, male and female, sits around a large tree in the courtyard of the Moravian mission complex. Other islanders are seen walking into or past various buildings.
2) "Vue de Gracehill dans l'Isle d'Antigoa aux Indes occidentales." A lovely landscape with a plantation house situated in the background. In the foreground a female field worker and her three children carry sticks and provisions past the well dressed plantation owners, who carry umbrellas and wear top hats.
3) "Vue de Grac dans l'Isle d'Antigoa aux Indes occidentales." Two plantation workers - a man carrying a hoe and a woman holding an infant - walk uphill as goats forage and romp nearby. Grace Bay and mountains are seen in the background.
4) "Vue de Cedarhall dans l'Isle d'Antigoa aux Indes occidentales." Another view of plantation life on the island. In the foreground a male worker sits beneath a tree smoking a pipe and speaks to a woman who balances a basket on her head. In the middle ground workers hoe a field and cattle graze. Two large homes are seen in the background, situated on rolling hills before larger mountains.
An accomplished group of scenes showing agricultural labors and social interaction among the blacks of Antigua, beautifully engraved and taking full advantage of the fine shadings and tones afforded by aquatint. Not in Abbey. OCLC locates only two copies, at Hamilton College and Oak Spring Garden Library. Very rare. BEINECKE LESSER ANTILLES COLLECTION 820. OCLC 15434253. (Inventory #: WRCAM32930)
1) "Vue de l'Establissement des Missions a St. Johns dans l'Isle d'Antigon aux Indes occidentales." A group of seven Antiguans, young and old, male and female, sits around a large tree in the courtyard of the Moravian mission complex. Other islanders are seen walking into or past various buildings.
2) "Vue de Gracehill dans l'Isle d'Antigoa aux Indes occidentales." A lovely landscape with a plantation house situated in the background. In the foreground a female field worker and her three children carry sticks and provisions past the well dressed plantation owners, who carry umbrellas and wear top hats.
3) "Vue de Grac dans l'Isle d'Antigoa aux Indes occidentales." Two plantation workers - a man carrying a hoe and a woman holding an infant - walk uphill as goats forage and romp nearby. Grace Bay and mountains are seen in the background.
4) "Vue de Cedarhall dans l'Isle d'Antigoa aux Indes occidentales." Another view of plantation life on the island. In the foreground a male worker sits beneath a tree smoking a pipe and speaks to a woman who balances a basket on her head. In the middle ground workers hoe a field and cattle graze. Two large homes are seen in the background, situated on rolling hills before larger mountains.
An accomplished group of scenes showing agricultural labors and social interaction among the blacks of Antigua, beautifully engraved and taking full advantage of the fine shadings and tones afforded by aquatint. Not in Abbey. OCLC locates only two copies, at Hamilton College and Oak Spring Garden Library. Very rare. BEINECKE LESSER ANTILLES COLLECTION 820. OCLC 15434253. (Inventory #: WRCAM32930)