Prints of Niagara Falls
Addendum
[ Index to collection ]
A Hennepin derivative is inset on one of the encyclopedic sheets from Henri Chatelain's Atlas Historique. This sheet concerns certain features of the natives, fauna and topography of North America, including Niagara Falls. The Niagara inset is a very close, and early, copy of Hennepin's view. Indeed, this is likely the closest derivative done of the original Hennepin print, with the landscape and vegetation almost identical. It is quite early as well, being preceded only by DeFer, Moll, and Leclerc. The European onlookers are very similar, though modified in their stances and one extra onlooker is added just in front of Hennepin's four. The only other modification of note is the addition of three sailing ships etched in the distance, cruising the waters of Lake Erie.
14ad. Robert Hancock. "The Waterfall of Niagara-....in North America." London: Robert Sayer, prob. 1751-1770, but by 1775. 9 1/4 x 15 1/4. Engraving. Hand color. Cf: Impressions of Niagara: 21. Dow: 879.
This is the rare first state of the Hancock view [cf. 21], published by Robert Sayer. This print was the prototype for a whole series of other prints of Niagara issued in various eighteenth century publications. The Sayer & Bennett sales catalogue of 1775 lists this print, so it was issued at least by that date. It is likely that this print was published before Bennett joined Sayer, when the latter was on his own as a printseller from 1751 to 1770.
26ad. "An Emblem of America." [London: P. Stampa, 1800]. 12 5/8 x 10. Mezzotint. Hand color. Adamson: 172; McKinsey: Fig. 46.
A rare print which shows Columbia mourning the loss of George Washington, issued shortly after his death, December 1799. Illustrating the theme of the title of the print, "An Emblem of America," Columbia is shown wearing a feather, holding an American flag (emblazoned with an eagle), while the background scene shows Niagara Falls. This latter is the best evidence possible of how established Niagara Falls had become as the icon of America by 1800. As Jeremy Adamson states in his catalogue, Niagara. Two Centuries of Changing Attitudes, 1697-1901, "the Falls represents the American land where Columbia will act out her destiny. Not just a unique natural curiosity, it is now a symbol for a unique polity." (p. 86)
The image is essentially a simplified version of the Popple derivative of the Hennepin view [5], with its large, leaning pine trees. The artist also incorporated a spear-fishing Indian, probably from Isaac Weld's "View of the Horse-Shoe Fall of Niagara" [23]. This demonstrates that while the artist had access to more accurate images than the Hennepin view, the power of this prototype was so powerful that it was this century old image which fit into this symbolic work on America.
46ad. Robert Sutcliff. "The Falls of Niagara." From Travels in Some Parts of North America In The Years 1804, 1805 and 1806. Philadelphia, 1812. 3 x 5 1/8. Engraving. Seibel: 82.
Robert Sutcliff was a Quaker who traveled to America on business. Though he kept a journal of his trips and also made several drawings, Sutcliff did not intend to publish his account until friends persuaded him that it might prove useful in the instruction of young people. The first edition was published in York, England, in 1811, the year Sutcliff and his family emigrated to Philadelphia. The following year Sutcliff's work was issued in an American edition, and unfortunately, Sutcliff died from a fever he contracted while assisting in fighting a fire. The British edition of Travels contained six plates, but the American edition included only one plate, this image of Niagara Falls.
51ad. "The Falls of Niagara." UL: "plate 4". UR: "page 154". Ca. 1820? 3 1/8 x 5 1/8. Etching.
An interesting print with no clear source. The format is somewhat derivative of the Hennepin-Hancock images, but updated from Isaac Weld's prints. This is perhaps based on a first hand drawing, put into the form made familiar by all the Hennepin derivatives. In any case, the image is quite correct in many features (e.g. Bridal Veil Falls), and this is the only print of the period which shows small islands just above the American Falls.
56ad. Edouard De Montule. A Voyage to North America, and The West Indies, in 1817. London: Sir Richard Phillips and Co., 1821. First English edition. Octavo. 102pp. Modern cloth binding. With six engravings, including
58ad. "Part of the fall of Niagara, on the side of Canada." London: Sir Richard Phillips, 1820-23. From New Voyages and Travels(?). 6 1/4 x 3 7/8. Engraving by Neele & Son. Dow: 889; Seibel: 67.
According to Dow, this print is likely from one of the volumes of New Voyages and Travels issued by Sir Richard Phillips between 1820 and 1823.
78ad. J.E.A. "Niagara, below the great Sheet." Between 1827-1833. 4 1/4 x 6 7/8. Etching by William Heath.
An etching of a scene from below the Horseshoe Fall. It shows the walkway leading out from Terrapin Point, but no tower.
97ad. After William James Bennett. "Niagara Falls." 1830-1833. 7 7/8 x 9 3/8. Lithograph.
An unidentified lithograph based on W.J. Bennett's "Niagara Falls...this View of the British Fall taken from Goat Island." [97] This is a very close copy, extended slightly to the left side with one extra goat added. This is quite an early lithograph, especially if it is American as seems likely. The Pendleton firm issued two smaller derivatives of Bennett's view in this period, so perhaps this is another version by the firm.
105ad. After W.J. Bennett. "Niagara." From G.M. Davidson' Traveller's Guide. New York, 1833. 2 5/8 x 4 1/4. Lithograph by Pendleton. Dow: 897; Seibel: 69.
A smaller version of the Pendleton version of Bennet's view [102].
116ad. T. Cole. "A Distant View Of The Falls Of Niagara." Boston: S. Walker, 1835. Engraving by T.S. Woodcock. 5 1/2 x 7 5/8.
A second edition of Cole's "Distant View of the Falls of Niagara" [108]. The sky in the first edition was not very successfully rendered and this is corrected in this second state of the same plate. All else is the same except the date is changed of the imprint from 1832 to 1835.
116ada. "Perca Granulata (The Granulated Perch.)/ (Falls of Niagara)/ Native of America." UR: "Plate 1." From Sir William Jardine's The Naturalist's Library. Edinburgh: W.H. Lizars, 1835. 3 3/4 x 6. Engraving by William H. Lizars. Hand coloring.
A view of the American Falls appears behind this illustration of a Perch from Jardine's famous Naturalist Library, though the representation is not very realistic.
122ad. After John Vanderlyn. "View of the Falls of Niagara. Taken from Table-Rock." Philadelphia: Saturday Chronicle, 1838-1842. 14 1/2 x 18 3/4. Lithograph by Alfred Hoffy. Printed by P.S. Duval. DeVolpi: 7; Seibel: 86.
A premium print for the Saturday Chronicle, a reduced version of John Vanderlyn's "A View of the Western Branch of the Falls of Niagara" [36]. The Chronicle was a weekly journal in existence from around 1836 until 1842. The production of this print involved two of Philadelphia's premier printmakers of the nineteenth century, Alfred Hoffy and Pierre S. Duval, well known for their work together on the U.S. Military Magazine. The starting date given for this print is based on the year Duval went in business by himself. The image is a very close copy of Vanderlyn's though with slightly different proportions. The only significant difference in the images is the inclusion, in this version, of six extra sightseers and a dog. DeVolpi dates this print as 1804, but this is incorrect.
130ad. Richard G.A. Levinge. "The '43rd Light Infantry' As They 'Turn Out' In Their Sleighs, At The 'Falls of Niagara' 1839." London: Ackermann & Co., 1839. 14 3/8 x 25 3/8. Lithograph. Original hand color. DeVolpi: 24; Seibel: 61.
The 43rd Light Infantry was in the Niagara frontier in 1839. This wonderful winter scene was drawn by a member of the regiment, Sir Richard Levinge, and it clearly shows a pleasure trip to the falls in mid-winter.
Two prints by William James Bennett. New York: W.J. Bennett, 1840. First states. Aquatints by W.J. Bennett. Hand color.
149ad. Inset of Niagara ("78"). On print IV from Panorama Of The Earth or Representation of the organical products which are own to each clime. Seven hundred designs representing the human races, animals, plants and the most remarkable sceneries of the globe. Philadelphia: John Weik, ca. 1840? 10 1/2 x 15 1/2. Lithograph. Full hand color.
An unrecorded print of Niagara Falls from a series of natural history prints published by John Weik in the first part of the nineteenth century. These folio images show "the human races, animals, plants and the most remarkable sceneries of the globe." In the background of this print showing various animals, fish, and humans from the temperate clime, is a small vignette of Niagara Falls, complete with a rainbow. Though not based on any other image, the scene is easily recognizable.
152ad. "View from the Pagoda." UR: "Niagara Falls, N.Y." No date, but ca. 1840-50. Ca. 3 x 7 5/8. Lithograph by Hall & Mooney, Buffalo. On banknote paper. Dow: 914; Seibel: 47.
This print was probably the heading of a decorative sheet of stationary with the bottom part trimmed. This image looks like it may have been drawn using a camera lucida.
156ad. "Niagara Falls." Boston: H. Prentiss, 1841. Song sheet illustration. Vignette illustration, ca. 7 x 8. Lithograph by J.H. Bufford & Co.
A song sheet illustration of a ferry boat below the falls. The falls, rather foreshortened, are shown in the background, table rock to the right. The boat, filled with tourists, is being rowed by two boatmen.
181ad. After Charles Lyell. "Stromgebiet des Niagara." LL: "2*" Ca. 1845+. 3 5/8 x 6 1/8. Wood engraving.
A bird's eye view of the Niagara region based on the image which appeared in Charles Lyell's Travels in North America in 1841-42, probably from a later, German edition of the same work.. Similar to [185], but not in color.
218ad. "The Great Railway Suspension Bridge. Being The Connection Link In The American Chain Of Railways From The Atlantic & The Mississippi." New York: Charles Magnus & Co., ca. 1849. 6 5/8 x 8. Steel engraving. On Bristol board. Hand colored, and with black painted borders and gold lines.
A separately issued souvenir print issued by the prolific print publishing firm of Charles Magnus & Co.. This is another example of Magnus's 'deluxe prints,' three other examples of which are listed in Impressions [285-287]. This print was issued shortly after the opening of the Suspension Bridge to be sold to tourists visiting this technological marvel.
221ad. "1. Colio (79). 2. Corvo (79). 3. Cascata del Niagara." UL: "Vol. III." UR: "Tom. 3." LL: "Dix. Pitt. St. Nat." From Borroni & Scotti's Dizionario Pittoresco Della Storia Naturale e Delle Manifatture Compilato La Ercole Marenesi. Milan, 1850. Engraving by G. Bonatti. Original hand color by A. Bognetti e C. Carti. Niagara image 4 1/4 x 5 1/4 on octavo sheet, with birds at top.
An unusual view of Niagara from an Italian natural history. The image is a fairly realistic image of the Horseshoe Falls. Primitive natives are shown along a path in the foreground while along the waterside below the falls can be seen a party of tourists, one with a parasol.
221ada. "Niagara, Horse Shoe Fall." Inset on "United States, East." London: C. Montague, ca. 1850. 10 x 8. Lithograph. Full hand color.
One of four vignettes on this map from a mid-nineteenth century British atlas. The view shows the Horseshoe Falls from the edge of Goat Island, with Terrapin Tower visible in the distance.
223ad. "Horse Shoe Falls, Niagara." Lithograph image on full, folded lettersheet. Before 1883, prob. ca. 1850 to 60. On full folded sheet of paper. With light wash.
This print shows one building at table rock and the Terrapin tower.
290ad. Steel engraving by Charles Magnus. Composite print of five images of Niagara Falls and one of Chaudiere Falls with a decorative border surmounted by a Beaver. New York: Charles Magnus, ca. 1855-60. Steel engravings. 5 1/2 x 8. Images listed clockwise from top left.
294ad. Frederick W. Lock. "Niagara Falls, Winter View Of Horseshoe Fall Taken From The Canadian Side, February 1856." Toronto & London: T. Jefferson, Nov. 1, 1856. 21 1/4 x 32. Drawn on stone by Edmund Walker. Lithograph by Day & Son. Tinted lithograph with hand finishing. Seibel: 62.
A rare Canadian imprint. This large winter scene is one of a pair by F.W. Lock, who has depicted himself in the foreground with his easel. The large size allows Lock to depict the sweep of the Horseshoe Falls and also to give a nice impression of the huge ice formations of Niagara in winter.
327ad. Samuel Geil "Map of the Vicinity of Niagara Falls From Actual Surveys by Samuel Geil Author of Maps of Niagara, Orleans And Cayuga Counteis, N.Y. &c." Philadelphia: S. Geil & J.L. Delp, 1859. Folding travel map on banknote paper. 23 x 28. Lithograph. Hand color. Cf. Dow: 905.
A map of the "vicinity of Niagara Falls," including on both the American and Canadian side. This was a folding travel map intended for tourists and emigrants to the region. Information shown includes some topography, roads, settlements, and property survey divisions. This data is clearly presented and highlighted by bright color. This striking map is surrounded by thirteen vignettes showing scenes of the Falls and other regional sites, and at the top is a handsome title cartouche featuring a male and female Native American.
Prints in Guide To Niagara Falls And Its Scenery, Including All The Points Of Interest Both On The American And Canadian Side. Geology And Recession Of The Falls, By Sir Charles Lyell. Embellished With Views Of The Fall And Suspension Bridge, From Stereoscopic Views Especially For This Work. By F. H. Johnson. Philadelphia: George W. Childs, 1863. 12mo. 70pp. Original buckram binding. With four views. 3 x 4 3/4. Wood engravings by E. Inger. Printed in black line and two tones.
403ad. "Painted by Brochard." "'At The Falls.'" From Paterson's Magazine, 1869. 6 1/8 x 4 1/8. "Engraved & Painted by Illman Brothers."
A charming illustration of two young ladies sitting just north of Table Rock. The depiction of the falls is somewhat distorted, but this is an interesting use of Niagara as a background for a fashion plate.
404ad. "Doing Niagara." From Every Saturday: An Illustrated Journal of Choice Reading. Boston: Fields, Osgood & Co., August 20, 1870. 4 1/8 x 4 1/4. Wood-engraving by A.B.H.
A small illustration on the classified pages. Shows two tourists, in rain gear, under the falls, probably in the Cave of The Winds.
405ad. [Horseshoe Falls from near the Biddle Staircase.] Prob. ca. 1870, but before 1873. 14 x 18. Chromolithograph. Seibel: 102.
An untitled and unattributed print showing the Horseshoe Falls and the top of the Biddle Staircase. One of the three figures in the foreground is drawn quite out of scale. The ante quo date is established by the appearance of the Terrapin Tower.
407ad. "by one of the first artists in America" "Falls of Niagara." New York: W.J. Demorest, 1872. 12 x 10. Chromolithograph. With original frame and advertising label. Glued to original backing.
"A Magnificent Prize! Surpassing All Other Offers.. Each Subscriber To Demorest's Monthly Magazine, at Three Dollars a year, will be presented with a premium of Two Elegant Chromos, companion pictures of the two most desirable and popular subjects in America-the Falls of Niagara and Yosemite Falls." So is described the offer from W. Jennings Demorest to his subscribers in 1872. The original chromolithographs ("the best pictures ever published for Ten Dollars, and are veritable gems, worthy of being enshrined in an honored place in our homes") were sent to each subscriber who paid the $3.08 shipping cost. Though probably sent out in the thousands, this is quite a rare image not recorded in any of the Niagara print lists.
450ad. Harry Ogden & W. Yeager. "Across The Continent.-The Frank Leslie Transcontinental Railroad Excursion--Scenes And Incidents On The Route From New York To Niagara Falls.--From Sketches by Harry Ogden and W. Yeager." From Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper. New York: July 7, 1877. Four (of six) images on single page. Wood engravings.
472ad. "Falls of Niagara." From Charlotte M. Yonge's A Pictorial History of The World's Great Nations. New York: Selmar Hess, 1882. Vignette, ca. 8 x 4 1/4. Wood engraving.
485ad. From a photograph. "New York.--The Whirlpool Rapids At Niagara, Scene Of Captain Webb's Fatal Exploit, July 24th.--From A Photo." From Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper. New York: August 4, 1883. Half page illustration; 6 x 9 1/4. Wood engraving.
492ad. "By A Staff Artist." "New York.--The Dedication Of Niagara To Public Use--Ceremonies Attending The Transfer Of The Reservation To The State, July 15th." From Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper. New York: July 25, 1885. Four images on double page. Wood engravings.
665ad. James S. King. "Electric Power, Niagara Falls." Ca. 1890. Ca. 15 x 9 7/8. Etching. With illustrative border and remarque. Signed in pencil. With original mat and printed tissue guard.
669ad. H. Meyer. "La Chute Du Niagara, dans le Pays de l'Or." LC: "Théâtre de la Gaîté." In issue of Le Petit Journal. Supplément Illustré. Paris, Feb. 13, 1892. Magazine: 17 1/8 x 10 7/8; image: 12 x 10 3/8. Color half tone.
A delightful cover illustration for the French newspaper, Le Petit Journal. The image shows a tightrope act with a lady riding a bicycle across a wire, with a man on a swing sitting below. Below are shown a tourist hotel and throngs of people looking up, while the falls can be seen in the distance.
696ad. V. Floyd Campbell. Set of 5: "The Roosevelt Bears at Niagara." From The Roosevelt Bears, Their Travels and Adventures by Seymour Eaton. Philadelphia: Edward Stern & Co., 1906. 8 x 6. Color half tones.
A delightful collection of images from the whimsical adventures of TEDDY-B and TEDDY-G, the Roosevelt Bears, up to their usual mischief. The bears find clothes and an assortment of human accessories left by tourists near the mountain where they live "out West." They decide to go east to explore, visiting Chicago, Boston, New York, and of course, Niagara Falls.
706ad. The Falls of Niagara. Depicted by Pen and Camera. Buffalo & New York: Matthews, Northrup & Co., prob. early 20th century. Octavo view booklet. Original boards. Very good condition. With text and 20 half-tone prints after photographs and drawings. Also advertisements for local and national firms in the front and rear.
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