Thomas Moore aged 58 c. 1850s fine old hand colored portrait print

Issued London: 1845-60 era.

Engraved by W. Holl.

Beautifully engraved and uncommon 19th century engraved portrait print with old hand color.
The print has been trimmed down to the engraved area and then expertly mounted around its edges to a slightly larger paper backing sheet, a practice relatively common in the 19th century. This precise method of mounting the print leaves almost the entire back exposed so it can be examined when the print is turned over.

The precise, detailed & nuanced engraving style epitomizes a particularly fine visual aesthetic quite unique to this moment in engraving. The hand coloring is also unique to this era and done in a very artistic manner.

This type of richly contrasting light & dark engraved printing process was very difficult and laborious, involving long-apprenticed, highly trained skillful pictorial artisans. It also involved challenging hand-operated machinery, inking of plates, skill, patience, and other endless tasks. Because of these and various other factors, this printed leaf is an interesting original artifact from long past moment in printing.

CONDITION:

Please view scan closely as it allows for a close zoom inspection .

[ note: We grade very conservatively and always seek to disclose any noteworthy flaws. We are doing our best to show & describe this item so you are happy when it arrives ].

Sheet is quite clean -- displays very minor age spotting as seen in scan, is perhaps lightly age toned, but displays no flaws which are visually offensive or worthy of discussion -- overall very clean, well printed and attractive.

Could readily be displayed or collected.

A very nice antique print any collector, dealer or institution would be pleased to own.

Sheet measures c. 5 1/8" W x  8 3/8" H.

Engraved area measures c. 3 3/8" W x  5 1/2" H.

[E21542]

We encourage you to print this description to keep with the image.

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