This item is a steel engraving from the drawing by Sir Edwin Landseer called “UNDER THE OLD FIR-TREE.”  It was engraved by C.G. Lewis and published in 1877.  The engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 10” x 7”, and is matted to 11” x 14” for easy framing.

     Among the series of sketches by Sir Edwin Landseer there are two, which, though they do not altogether resemble this, may be placed in the same category or class.  One, called ‘Rest by the Way,’ shows the lofty trunk, and branches of the fir-tree under what seamen would designate “bare poles;” not a vestige of foliage is on them, but seated at its base on the ground is a group of deer-stalkers with dogs, resting from their labors after throwing a dead stag, which has fallen to the gun of the sportsman, over a forked stem of the tree. The other, a ‘Study of Fir-trees,’ is simply a landscape in which the trees in question are the prominent objects.  The drawing here engraved is a masterly sketch of a venerable fir that has braved for many long years the rude assaults of the mountain gales which have laid bare some of its branches, yet has left others still green and vigorous, throwing out their numerous arms in a variety of fantastic shapes. Here, too, as in the first-named sketch are a couple of deer-stalkers, also “resting by the way,” with their hounds, and a wee Skye terrier surveying the poor dead stag with an air of curiosity, as if he were holding a kind of coroner’s inquest on the body. The group gives much interest to what otherwise would be a somewhat unattractive yet clever drawing.

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.