Description
Canada.- Johnston (Thomas) Quebec, The Capital of New-France, a Bishoprick, and Seat of the Soverain Court, engraving, an excellent bold impression, on laid paper with indistinct watermark possibly date '17??', first state before additional lettering, plate mark 212 x 267 mm. (8 3/8 x 10 1/2 in), sheet approx. 240 x 317 mm. (9 1/2 x 12 1/2 in), several repaired nicks and tears with rough edges, one tear going into plate mark upper right, some handling creases, light surface dirt, unframed, [Boston, 1759].
Provenance:
Private collection, London
Literature:
D. McN. Stauffer, American Engravers upon Copper and Steel, 1907, p. 252, no. 1505
I.N. Phelps Stokes and D.C. Haskell, American Historical Prints Early Views of American Cities, etc., 1933, p. 19, no. B-17
G. G. Deak, Picturing America, 1497-1899, 1988, p. 47, no. 78
⁂ "The most important engraved view of [Quebec], as well as the earliest executed by an American", [G.G. Deak, op. cit., p. 47].
In 1759 Quebecat the time a French northern settlementfell to the English following one of the pivotal battles of the Seven Years' War, aptly named The Battle of the Plains of Abraham after the farmer who originally owned the plot. In an effort to capitalise on peaked interest in Quebec, Stephen Whiting, a London-based printseller, commissioned the Boston-based engraver, Thomas Johnston, to produce the present work and 'satisfy the curiosity of American and English audiences about the picturesque city' (G.G. Deak, op. cit., p. 47). Johnston's view is based on another inset view from an earlier map of Quebec by Nicolas de Fer published in 1718, which featured in Chatelain's seven-volume "Atlas Historique" (1705-1720).
Lot 154
Canada.- Johnston (Thomas) Quebec, The Capital of New-France, a Bishoprick, and Seat of the Soverain Court, [Boston, 1759].
Hammer Price: £4,200
Description
Canada.- Johnston (Thomas) Quebec, The Capital of New-France, a Bishoprick, and Seat of the Soverain Court, engraving, an excellent bold impression, on laid paper with indistinct watermark possibly date '17??', first state before additional lettering, plate mark 212 x 267 mm. (8 3/8 x 10 1/2 in), sheet approx. 240 x 317 mm. (9 1/2 x 12 1/2 in), several repaired nicks and tears with rough edges, one tear going into plate mark upper right, some handling creases, light surface dirt, unframed, [Boston, 1759].
Provenance:
Private collection, London
Literature:
D. McN. Stauffer, American Engravers upon Copper and Steel, 1907, p. 252, no. 1505
I.N. Phelps Stokes and D.C. Haskell, American Historical Prints Early Views of American Cities, etc., 1933, p. 19, no. B-17
G. G. Deak, Picturing America, 1497-1899, 1988, p. 47, no. 78
⁂ "The most important engraved view of [Quebec], as well as the earliest executed by an American", [G.G. Deak, op. cit., p. 47].
In 1759 Quebecat the time a French northern settlementfell to the English following one of the pivotal battles of the Seven Years' War, aptly named The Battle of the Plains of Abraham after the farmer who originally owned the plot. In an effort to capitalise on peaked interest in Quebec, Stephen Whiting, a London-based printseller, commissioned the Boston-based engraver, Thomas Johnston, to produce the present work and 'satisfy the curiosity of American and English audiences about the picturesque city' (G.G. Deak, op. cit., p. 47). Johnston's view is based on another inset view from an earlier map of Quebec by Nicolas de Fer published in 1718, which featured in Chatelain's seven-volume "Atlas Historique" (1705-1720).