Prints
1877 "The American Portrait Gallery" Lillian & J. C. Buttre
1877 AMERICAN HISTORICAL PORTRAIT TWO VOLUME SET, by J.C. Buttre titled, "The American Portrait Gallery with biographical sketches of presidents, statesmen, military and naval heroes, clergymen, authors, poets, etc., etc.," by Lillian C Buttre, Steel Plate Engravings by J.C. Buttre, printed by Trow's Printing and Bookbinding Co., NewYork, Choice Very Fine.
AMERICAN HISTORICAL PORTRAIT VOLUMES, Original Set Of Two Volumes, Illustrated by J.C. Buttre, "The American Portrait Gallery," text by Lillian C Buttre, printed by Trow's Printing and Bookbinding Co., NewYork, in Two Volumes. Volume I with Engraved frontispiece Portrait of George Washington, Volume II starts with an Engraved frontispiece Portrait of Abraham Lincoln. Each having 120 Engraved Steel Plate Portraits with biographical information. Edition having impressive burgundy and black leather boards with decorative impressed gilt lines, American Heraldic "Union" Shield central decoration and spine lettering, with gold gilt outer page edges. Excellent internal condition, expected light wear to its outer boards and spines, interior with replaced end papers and paste-downs, overall excellent. (2 volume set).
John Chester Buttre (June 10, 1821 Auburn, New York " December 2, 1893 Ridgewood, New Jersey), was an American steel-plate engraver and lithographer, responsible for some 3,000 engraved portraits of American political, naval and military personalities. He published "The American Portrait Gallery" in 3 volumes (1880"81) with text by his daughter, Lillian C. Buttre.
He received his first drawing tuition from Hulaniski, a Polish exile living in Auburn. Later he applied himself to the study of portrait-painting. He was, however, better suited to drawing and wood-engraving. His work improving, he carried on the business of general engraver, producing card-plates, wood-cuts for newspapers and engraving silver-ware.
Arriving in New York in 1841, he devoted himself to steel-plate engraving, at which he soon became successful, his work appearing in many magazines and newspapers. He produced a widely acclaimed full-length portrait of President James Buchanan in 1858, together with a full-length portrait of Martha Washington. His Civil War work included sentimental images such as "The Empty Sleeve," "Only a Little Brook" and "Prayer in Camp," all of which sold well.
A resident of Ridgewood, New Jersey, Buttre died at his home there on December 2, 1893.