Handsome original antique 1865 engraving of a painting titled Rustic Courtship, by W. Lucas.

• It measures 11" x 9¼" and is the major part of the full front page of the July 15, 1865 edition of Harper's Weekly.



• Rustic Courtship had also been featured in the June 17, 1865 edition of The Illustrated London News, in an article on the Exhibition of the Institute of Painters in Water Colours where the reviewer wrote:

  Mr. W. Lucas is one of the two members...elected within the last year into the Junior Water Colour Society in Pall Mall. His heads are well drawn and modelled and his colouring clear and pleasant. Moreover we are glad to say that he promises to be among the few artists who know how to steer clear of vulgarity in treating humble everyday subjects. The buxom young woman over the wash tub is not a fine lady or romantically employed but she has beauty enough of a homely kind to turn the heads of all the lads in the village. She is neither a wanton nor a shrew but she turns away from the flattery of her sweetheart with that expression of pleased displeasure peculiar to her sex under such circumstances.

• Condition:  This full front page is in very good condition, with no rips, tears, or writing. Please see the scans and feel free to ask any questions.



• It is still (loosely) attached to the back page of the July 15, 1865 edition of Harper's Weekly, which has a cartoon at the upper left and ads for various goods and services, including paper collars, hair-growing remedies, revolvers, carpet repair, and lands for sale in Vineland, New Jersey.



• Like most regular issues of Harper's Weekly during the 1860s this edition originally had 16 pages. Please note this listing is for both sides of the full front and rear pages; there are no other inside pages.



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