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Description:
This is a rare Frederick DeBourg Richards etching. It is signed in the plate F. DeB. Richards at the bottom left of the image with the numbers 04 (looks to be) and 29 just below the name. The image features an old stone bridge crossing a shallow river surrounded by foliage. It is a dark etching with lots of detail. The large etching was, at one time, attached to a heavier board that is pictured in one photo. That board has an old typeset description on paper attached to the board that reads as follows: "Old Stone Bridge on Pickering Creek, Chester County, PA F. DE B. RICHARDS. [Followed by a Bryant poem] Pennsylvania possesses the greatest variety of picturesque scenery, from the grand and sublime to the tender and beautiful. Eastern Pennsylvania bears a strong resemblance to England in the quiet, domestic, and homelike features of its landscape. The traveller west from Philadelphia through Delaware, Chester and Lancaster counties is charmed by the restful scenery upon every side. There are no lofty crags and mountain gorges here; the traveller must journey further west for these; but for hours he may ride through fields of golden grain, verdant meadows, thrifty orchards and pleasant woodlands; by silvery streams that sing gladly as they dash over rapids, or glide silently through valleys of quiet loveliness; by feeding herds upon the hillsides, by prosperous villages and neat farm houses - on and on through the pleasant valleys of Chester and the fat lands of Lancaster; -verily it is a pleasant and goodly land. One of these innumerable scenes forms the subject of Mr. Richard's plate. The early settlers of the landscape in this section, which attracts the attention of the visitor, is the number of picturesque old stone bridges. The early settlers evidently believed in building for all time; no frail structures of wood for them; so they built of solid stone, which now, moss-grown and gray with the ripening of years, look as if they had grown in their places like the rocks and hills around them. Mr. Richard's elegant and finished picture is worthy not only of the artist himself, but of the praise which we feel sure it will receive from the patrons of the FOLIO. [A biographical sketch of the artist was published in Part II of the FOLIO.]" Obviously this piece came from a larger folio that would have been subscribed to by wealthy art interested locals in the late 19th century, although I have not been able to ascertain which folio or find the Part II mentioned. Given the background of Frederick DeBourg Richards as a well-known 19th century daguerrotypist, etcher, photographer and painter I hoped to find a similar example of his etchings and have come up empty handed. Based on auction results a plenty of oils, watercolors and daguerrotypes for Mr. Richards there is not a single record that I could locate of an etching being sold or held in collection. Given it's condition, which is poor and in need of restoration, I guess that would make sense. The main plate and the accompanying board are browned, I am assuming the board is not acid free. At one time the plate was attached to the board in two spots at the top left and right by glue. The etching has become detached from the board leaving two holes in the top margins of the plate paper, however, the original paper is still attached to the glue on the board. The type of paper used starts with "V" and ends with an "N", the rest is not legible as it is stuck to the glue. In addition to being separated from the board, the board and plate have water damage. It is more evident on the board. The water damage on the plate paper seems to have only affected the right margin sparing the main etching. There are dirt marks and an oil type stain also on in the margins surrounding the etching. The etching exhibits a rippling effect, which I believe is normal. There are various missing pieces of paper around the outer margin edges. As a modern day location of the bridge I have also come up empty handed. I believe this actually may be a part of French Creek State Park, which today is not in Chester County, but instead in Montgomery or Bucks County Pennsylvania. Potentially even further North. I would be glad to send further photos if requested. Thanks for looking!
| Status: No Longer Available |
Reference#: DEC04200807 |
| Condition:
Poor |
Year:
Circa 1880
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| Height:
13 in. (33.02 cm) |
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Width: 19 in. (48.26 cm)
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| Title:
Old Stone Bridge on Pickering Creek, Chester County, PA |
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