STEEL ENGRAVING – “THE FIRST VOYAGE” from the painting by Frank Stone, engraved by F. A. Heath, printed in 1883.  This engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 7” x 9 1/8”, and is matted to 12” x 16” for easy framing.

   Many of the later pictures of Frank Stone, who died in 1850, were scenes sketched by him in the towns and villages of the French coast; this is one of them.  In describes the earliest maritime experiences of a fisherman’s son, about to start on his first voyage in the paternal semaque.  Duly equipped in true sailor fashion for the enterprise, the little fellow is brought down to the landing-place by his mother and some king neighbors for embarkation; and much encouragement and good advice they appear to be offering him.  He will doubtless grow into a brave sailor by-and-by, but at present he does not seem altogether charmed with the prospect before him.  The expression of the faces are, as in all the productions of this artist fully and carefully worked out; perhaps a trifle too intellectual, they can at the same time scarcely be called overdrawn; and the principal ones have come out capitally in the engraving.  A sober, stalwart seaman should the boy grow and to be, if he follows the promise attendant on the son of such a father and mother for the artist has chosen and picked the best objects for his brush, and we dare say there is no steadier, healthier family round the coast than the one which has turned out to see the eldest boy start on his travels.  The composition of the group is well managed, and the figures tell their tale perspicuously.

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.

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