Title: The Birds of War.
Joseph Pennell (1857-1926)
Medium: Lithograph, 1917.
Edition 50.
Signed in pencil. Important images of early aviation.
Image size 13 1/2 x 19 5/8" (34.3 x 49.7 cm).
Condition: Good condition, wide margins, save for a very minor light discoloration.

Joseph Pennell (1857-1926) printmaker and illustrator was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 4, 1857. He briefly attended the School of Industrial Design, (now called the Philadelphia College of Art). From 1878 to 1880 Pennell was a student at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts where his ability in etching was quickly recognized by his instructor, James L. Claghorn. Pennell received numerous awards for his works, including the 1st Class Gold Medal in the Paris Expo in 1900, the Grand Prize at the St. Louis Expo in 1904, the Gand Prix in Milan in 1906, the Diplome d'Honneur in Amsterdam in 1912 and the Commemorative medal in France in 1915, among others. Pennell was elected an Associate of the National Academy in 1907 and an Academician in 1909. He was a member of the New York Etching Club and he wrote "Lithography and Lithographers" (1900) and illustrated a great number of books. He is remembered for his etchings, however his lithographs especially those of the Panama Canal drew him great acclaim.