Thomas JOHNSON (1843-1904, etcher) [Etched portrait of Walt Whitman]

Offered for sale by Adam Langlands of 'Shadowrock Rare Books' - for more information please contact him via email at adamlanglands@gmail.com 

NB the matt is not included.

Walt WHITMAN (1819-1892) – Thomas JOHNSON (1843-1904, etcher) after George C. COX (photographer). [Etched portrait of Walt Whitman]. [USA:] dated [18]’91’ in the plate. Etching (plate size: 11 3/4 x 8 3/4 in; 298 x 223 mm), on thin paper backed onto thin card (sheet size: 18 x 13 3/4 in; 457 x 349 mm), head and shoulders portrait (image: 8 1/2 x 7 1/4 in; 216 x 184 mm),  by Thomas Johnson after a photograph by George C. Cox, indistinct ‘JT’ monogram & date ‘91’ in the plate, signed by the artist ‘T. Johnson’ in pencil at right below image. 

Condition: toning, but, otherwise, generally excellent [see images]

An iconic portrait of Whitman from a series of photographs taken by Cox: this is said to have been Whitman’s favorite from the session. Sometimes called "The Laughing Philosopher" this fine etching is now one of the best-known images of Whitman.