STEEL ENGRAVING – “PLAYMATES” from the painting by A. H. Burr, engraved by L. Stocks, printed in 1883.  This engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 7 1/4” x 9 1/2”, and is matted to 12” x 16” for easy framing.

Mr. A. H. Burr is by descent a Scotchman, and together with his brother, Mr. John Burr, studied under Mr. R. Scott Lauder, in the School of Design at Edinburgh, where A. H. Burr gained the first prize for drawing from the living model.  He commenced the practice of his art with portraiture and landscape painting, but soon directed his attention to genre.  His first picture of this kind, “The Politicians,” was, says Mr. Otley, in his Supplement to Bryan’s “Dictionary of Painters and Engravers,” much and deservedly admired.  His next important work was from Burn’s “Logan Braes.”  It obtained one of the first prizes given by the Edinburgh Association.

In 1861, the two brothers went to London, and they soon decided to make the English capital their home; they did not exhibit large numbers of pieces, but sufficiently to keep themselves under the favorable notice of the public.

The painter of “Playmates” must be classed with Faed rather than with Wilkie in manner.  He wields a bold pencil, though not a careless one; and he has a good idea of color.  His “Playmates” is a good specimen of his compositions and style of working.  We have here the interior of a Scottish cottage, the inmates of which are a mother and her five bairns of different ages.  The children, all but the youngest, who sleeps soundly in its parent’s lap, are diverting themselves with the antics of a kitten, whose playfulness is drawn out by the little barefooted urchin holding the string, to which a “bait,” in the shape of a piece of wood, is attached.  There is a touch of true nature in the attitude and expression of the children whom the artist has skillfully grouped together.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE

Antique prints, engravings, and lithographs are printing processes, which use steel, copper, stone or wood blocks or plates to produce a picture on paper.

Most antique prints and engravings, which are seen on the internet today, are bookplates.  Because they are pages from a book, there are multiple copies in existence.  This does not, however, mean that they are "reproductions" that have been printed recently.  Because they were, at some point, part of books, some have been preserved in excellent condition, while others show signs of age, as yellow spots or darkness on the edge of the page from being handled.

Engravings, and lithographs are high quality pieces of art, as it took a highly trained artist many hours of work to produce one.  Although there may be multiple copies still in existence, the date of the item should be stated, thus giving the buyer an idea of its age.