Colonial America
Wooden Printing Block of a Saint Holding Halberd and Box Engraved by Prominent American Printer Isaiah Thomas
c. 1770, Woodblock Printing Plate, Depicting a Saint with a Halberd and Box, Signed "I T" for Isaiah Thomas, Choice Very Fine.
This fabulous, original, hand-engraved, 3.5" x 1.5" wooden printing block, is signed "I T" for Isaiah Thomas (1749-1831), prominent Massachusetts engraver and publisher. The block depicts a standing saint, holding a halberd and a box, with the engraver's initials at the bottom. This block might have been used to illustrate a children's book titled, "The History of the Holy Jesus," whose author is given as "Lover of their Precious Souls." This work, containing about 48 pages, was published in America as early as 1746, and afterwards, by many publishers, as late as 1813. Several editions, published in Boston between 1764 and 1779, had engraved illustrations by Isaiah Thomas, who signed them with "I T." Whatever its original use, this wonderful printing block has survived in excellent condition, having a couple trivial hairline cracks which won't show on a print. A lovely example of early American engraving and printing methods.
Wooden Printing Block of a Saint Holding Halberd and Box Engraved by Prominent American Printer Isaiah Thomas
c. 1770, Woodblock Printing Plate, Depicting a Saint with a Halberd and Box, Signed "I T" for Isaiah Thomas, Choice Very Fine.
This fabulous, original, hand-engraved, 3.5" x 1.5" wooden printing block, is signed "I T" for Isaiah Thomas (1749-1831), prominent Massachusetts engraver and publisher. The block depicts a standing saint, holding a halberd and a box, with the engraver's initials at the bottom. This block might have been used to illustrate a children's book titled, "The History of the Holy Jesus," whose author is given as "Lover of their Precious Souls." This work, containing about 48 pages, was published in America as early as 1746, and afterwards, by many publishers, as late as 1813. Several editions, published in Boston between 1764 and 1779, had engraved illustrations by Isaiah Thomas, who signed them with "I T." Whatever its original use, this wonderful printing block has survived in excellent condition, having a couple trivial hairline cracks which won't show on a print. A lovely example of early American engraving and printing methods.
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Auction details
Autographs-Coins-Currency-Americana
9:00 AM PT - Feb 17th, 2008
offered by
Early American
P.O. Box 3507
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
