September 16, 2020 09:00 AM PDT Annex
30
Vischer's Views of California. The Mammoth Tree Grove, Calaveras County, California
Edward Vischer. Vischer's Views of California. The Mammoth Tree Grove Calaveras County, California. And It's Avenues. Consisting of Title Page & 12 Plates with 25 Engravings. [lithograph of "Principal Trees of the Grove"] Entered According to Act of Congress in the Year 1862 by Edward Vischer, in the Clerk's Office of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Cal. [wreath of foliage and pinecones of the Sequoia.] L. Nagel, Print. Drawn and Published by Edward Vischer, San Francisco, Cal. No. 515 Jackson Street, above Montgomery. C.C. Kuchel, Lith. Collation: [1] half-title and introductory remarks, [2-3] description of plates, 12 plates, [4] appendix. 10 3/4 x 13 1/2 in. Binding: Black cloth portfolio over boards; gold-stamped title over blind-stamped ornamentation. Front cover pastedown, reproducing the title leaf minus the printer's lithographer's and typographer's imprint. Rear cover pastedown: "Index" of plates and "The Visitor's Guide". Plates: Front. +12 sheets of mounted images inserted between folio-size sheet of 2 text leaves.
References: Cowan I, pp. 242-242; Cowan II, p. 662; Currey & Kruska 376; Farquhar 5, Howes V132; Peters p. 198-202; Streeter 2877.
Vischer, a San Francisco businessman, became smitten by California's rich scenery and as a serious pastime, "took up the long neglected pencil" making sketches of the natural wonders he encountered. In 1859 and 1861 he visited the Calaveras Grove of Big Trees and began producing sketches and finished drawings based on personal observation. Returning many more times, the majesty of the Sequoia Gigantea Sempervirens inspired the creation of this elegant portfolio. In this way, he could share these stunning "portraits" of the mammoth trees including many that had fallen, their stumps, and some with their bark stripped off for exhibition in eastern U.S. cities. Importantly, too, he added human figures and various modes of transportation to give the viewer an idea of their gargantuan size and to convince the incredulous that these "vegetable giants" were indeed real. Some of these specimens stood nearly 300 feet in height and 96 feet in diameter. Of keen interest is Plate 12, "The Mammoth Grove Hotel, Grounds and General View of the Forest," as it shows on the righthand side a small herd of double-humped Bactrian camels being led through the grounds. Vischer, in his introductory plates, included views of nearby town of Murphys and the entrance to the grove. To convert his drawings to lithographic stones, he engaged Charles C. Kuchel who earlier had issued the first view of Yosemite in 1855. Vischer continued converting his drawings into publications resulting in the above described Pictorial of California (1870) and Missions of Upper California (1872).
According to Currey and Kruska, the McClatchy copy is the third issue of the first edition. The first two issues came with nine plates whereas this portfolio contains twelve plates.
Processing and shipping within the continental U.S. $45.00 plus 1.5% replacement cost insurance. Witherell's strives to provide as much information and photographs as possible but encourages in-person inspection by bidders. Condition statements are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty or assumption of liability by Witherell's. All lots are sold "AS IS" under terms and conditions. Please be advised we do not provide porters nor packing materials for pick ups.
Condition:
The inside pastedown show browning and the binding has minor scuffs.
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Estimate:
$1,000 -
$2,500
Price Realized Including Buyer's Premium
$8,470
09/16/2020
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Consign With UsWitherell strives to provide as much information and photographs as possible but encourages in-person inspection by bidders. Condition statements are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty or assumption of liability by Witherell. All lots are sold "AS IS" under the Terms and Conditions. Methods of payment are cash, check, money orders, or wire transfer for foreign payments. Please note we do not accept credit cards. This auction has a buyer's premium of 15%.
