STEEL ENGRAVING – “MONUMENT TO THE LATE DAVID REID” from the sculpture by C.B. Birch, engraved by H. C. Balding, published in 1880.  This engraving is in excellent condition.  The picture measures 7 ¾” x 3”, and is matted to 11” x 14” for easy framing.

    The gentleman to whose memory this monumental tribute has been erected was an eminent member of the London Stock Exchange, whose death was caused by a fall from his horse a few years since. He was buried in Cranbourne Churchyard, not far from Virginia Water, near Windsor, where the monument is erected. It is entirely of Sicilian marble, the figures are life-size, and the entire work stands sixteen feet in height to the top of the cross.

      The group round the ivy-twined cross represent the widow lady and her two eldest children, who are twins: at each of the four angles of the base, or pedestal, on which the group stands, is a head of each of the four younger children of Mr. Reid, symbolized as a cherub.  The idea of the widow and her eldest children taking refuge, as it where, at the foot of the cross in the hour of their deep anguish is very beautiful and hopeful; it emanated, we understand, entirely from Mrs. Reid herself, whose suggestions have been so successfully and artistically carried out by Mr. Birch, for many years a worker in the atelier of John Foley, R.A.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE

Antique prints, etchings, 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, lithographs, ect., 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 in the auction, thus giving the buyer an idea of its age.

Postage and Handling – First Class Mail $4.50