American Book-Plates: A Guide to Their Study with ExamplesAllen, Charles Dexter
History
American Book-Plates: A Guide to Their Study with Examples
Allen, Charles Dexter
Bookplates -- Bibliography; Bookplates, American
S. S. JOCELYN, of New Haven, who made a very handsome plate for the
_Brothers in Unity_ of Yale College, became an engraver of vignettes for
bank-notes.
* * * * *
THOMAS JOHNSON was born in Boston in 1708. He was buried in King’s
Chapel Burying-ground, May 8, 1767. He engraved Psalm Tune plates
[Illustration: EDMUND H. GARRETT]
for the Tate and Brady edition of 1760, and did some commendable work as
a herald painter. In the inventory of his estate, fifteen copper plates
are appraised at 40_s._
Only one specimen of his book-plate work is authenticated, and that is
the _Joseph Tyler_, which is signed in full,--_Johnson_.
* * * * *
THOMAS JOHNSTON signs the very beautiful Jacobean plate of _William P.
Smith, A.M._, and the rougher Chippendale of _Samuel Willis_. Whether
this is the same engraver as the above is uncertain; the difference in
the spelling of the name would not disprove the claim, as in those days
such differences were frequent. The _Willis_ plate bears strong
resemblance to the work and designs of Hurd. If this is the same
engraver as the above, these two plates are likely to be the earliest
signed plates by an American, as Johnson was born some twenty years
before Hurd. The _Willis_ plate is quite inferior to the _Smith_, which
latter is a striking example of the Jacobean style.
* * * * *
FRANCIS KEARNEY, who signs the plate of _Henry McMurtrie_ and _Hector
Coffin_, was born in 1780. He was a pupil of Peter R. Maverick, who
received two hundred and fifty dollars for instructing him for three
years. The advantage was all with Maverick. Soon after the opening of
the century, he was engaged with Anderson, the younger Maverick, Boyd,
and others, in engraving plates for a quarto Bible published by Mr.
Collins, of New York.
In 1810 he removed to Philadelphia, as that city was far ahead of New
York in the publishing of books, etc. He was in that city for over
twenty years. His greatest work is the engraving of Leonardo da Vinci’s
picture of the “Last Supper.”
* * * * *
PETER RUSHTON MAVERICK was born in England, April 11, 1755, and came to
America about 1774. He was originally a silversmith, and came of a
family whose members were for several generations well known as
engravers, and who made the art their occupation. He was an energetic
worker, getting most of his practical knowledge by his own endeavors. He
was the teacher of William Dunlap and of Francis Kearney, as well as of
his own son, who ultimately became a more proficient engraver than his
father, and, who after instructing A. B. Durand for five years, took him
into partnership.
Peter R. Maverick died in New York, about 1807, and his son Peter whose
partnership with Durand resulted disastrously, died in 1831.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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