Chantry Fine Art has been in business for over twenty years selling at major antiques fairs including the NEC. We specialise in fine arts, miniatures, water colours and oils. Billing Antiques is a subsidiary of Chantry Fine Art

 ETCHINGS 

GEORGE CRUIKSHANK ((1792-1878)

SCENES FROM THE LIFE OF SIR JOHN FALSTAFF

1857/8

A notable painter, etcher, illustrator and cartoonist of the 19th century following in the traditions of Gillray and Rowlandson, he illustrated many books including Dicken's Sketches by Boz.       Amongst many others was the Life of Sir John Falstaff published by Longmans in 1857/8 in ten parts, with 20 illustrations.

We have acquired 13 of the 20 illustrations as first proof etchings for this series.    They are on extremely thin chine colle paper laid on a thicker base.

Many are in fine condition, but some have suffered severe water damage, mostly to the backing paper, which has had to be trimmed to the etching margin impressions.   The etchings themselves are very finely printed.

All have full descriptions of the scene underneath and all are signed and annotated by the artist in pencil as First Proofs.

This example is entitled "Sir John Falstaff driving Pislot from his presence"

The condition is poor, with bad water stains.    It is trimmed to the impression margin.

Size of outside impression 6 1/2" x 10"(17cm x 25cm), the etching itself 4 1/2" x 7" (11cm x 18cm) 

      (Stock 5863)