Category: American

Plates depicting the American West from one of the many books and pamphlets that were written as a way to get people to move there. These from H. V. Hayden’s “The Great West: its attractions and resources”. Published in 1880 by Charles R. Brodix in Illinois.

"The Yosemite Falls and Valley, California." Page 10.
“The Yosemite Falls and Valley, California.” Page 10. Engraved and printed by Illman Brothers, Philadelphia. Collection of the Library of Congress. Sloan Foundation, digitalizing sponsor. In the public domain. via https://archive.org/details/greatwestitsattr00brod/page/n9
"Winter Forest Scene in the Sierra Nevadas." Thomas Moran, artist.
“Winter Forest Scene in the Sierra Nevadas.” Thomas Moran, artist. Page 86. Collection of the Library of Congress. Sloan Foundation, digitalizing sponsor. In the public domain. via https://archive.org/details/greatwestitsattr00brod/page/n85
"Mountain of the Holy Cross, Colorado." Page 126.
“Mountain of the Holy Cross, Colorado.” Page 126. Collection of the Library of Congress. Sloan Foundation, digitalizing sponsor. In the public domain. via https://archive.org/details/greatwestitsattr00brod/page/n125
"Lake Tahoe." Thomas Moran, artist. Page 212.
“Lake Tahoe.” Thomas Moran, artist. Page 212. Collection of the Library of Congress. Sloan Foundation, digitalizing sponsor. In the public domain. via https://archive.org/details/greatwestitsattr00brod/page/n211
"Donner Lake, from the Snow-sheds." Page 106.
“Donner Lake, from the Snow-sheds.” Page 106. Collection of the Library of Congress. Sloan Foundation, digitalizing sponsor. In the public domain. via https://archive.org/details/greatwestitsattr00brod/page/n105
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Art Deco era prints. John Vassos, artist (1898-1985). Born in Romania, he came to the United States as a young man. An industrial designer and artist, he helped found the Industrial Designers Society of America in 1965.

"The Department Store." 1929.
“The Department Store.” 1929. © of the artist. Fair use license. via https://www.pinterest.com/pin/41306521554374123/?lp=true
Plate from John Vassos' book "Ultimo," published in 1930.
Plate from John Vassos’ book “Ultimo,” published in 1930 with text written by his wife Ruth. © Estate of the artist. © Copyright 2019, Bauman Rare Books. Fair use license. via https://www.baumanrarebooks.com/rare-books/vassos-john-vassos-ruth/ultimo/113886.aspx
Untitled. 1930's.
Untitled. 1930’s. © Estate of the artist. Image © The Wolfsonian, Florida International University. Fair use license. via https://wolfsonianfiulibrary.wordpress.com/2011/04/23/book-bindings-and-illustrations-by-john-vassos/

Plates from American Samuel Augustus Binion’s illustrated work “Ancient Egypt, or Mizraim” which was published in 1887 with chromolithographs by Cusack and Company of Buffalo, New York.

"The Hall of Columns in the Great Temple of Karnak, Thebes."
“The Hall of Columns in the Great Temple of Karnak, Thebes.” 1887. Image © Bonhams 2001-2019. Fair use license. via https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24256/lot/98/
"Tomb in the Valley of Assasif, Thebes. 1887.
“Tomb in the Valley of Assasif, Thebes. 1887. Image © 1999 – 2019 SKINNER, INC. Fair use license. via https://www.skinnerinc.com/auctions/2950B/lots/185
"Elevation of the North Gate of the Temple, Dendera." 1887.
“Elevation of the North Gate of the Temple, Dendera.” 1887. Image © 2019 William Doyle Galleries, Inc. Fair use license. via https://doyle.com/auctions/15bp02-rare-books-autographs-photographs/catalogue/383-egypt-binion-samuel-augustus
"Interior of the Temple at Deir-Al-Medineh (restored), Thebes." 1887.
“Interior of the Temple at Deir-Al-Medineh (restored), Thebes.” 1887. Image © 1999 – 2019 SKINNER, INC. Fair use license. via https://skinnerlive.auctionserver.net/view-auctions/catalog/id/503/lot/224279/?url=%2Fview-auctions%2Fcatalog%2Fid%2F503%3Fpage%3D2%26items%3D100

Tables, all designed by New York society decorators Herter Brothers for the Vanderbilts. All fancy. What else would they have wanted.

Console table. Neo-Grecian in style.1869-71.
Console table. Neo-Grecian in style.1869-71. Maple with rosewood inlay and parcel gilt. Attributed to Herter Brothers. Underside of velvet covered top hand-inscribed in graphite “W.H. Vanderbilt / 40 [St.?]” Image © CHRISTIE’S 2019. Fair use license. via https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/the-william-h-vanderbilt-neo-grec-parcel-gilt-and-6097228-details.aspx
Table. Before 1887. Renaissance Revival in style.
Table. Before 1887. Renaissance Revival in style. Has The inlaid malachite ribbons surround the lapis lazuli medallions which are inset with mother-of-pearl. Belonged to Frederick William Vanderbilt. Image Copyright 2019 © Antiquarian Traders, Inc. Fair use license. via http://antiquariantraders.com/shop-antiques/tables/american-renaissance-revival-herter-brothers-table/
Console table used in the drawing room of the William H. Vanderbilt mansion on Fifth Avenue.
Console table used in the drawing room of the William H. Vanderbilt mansion on Fifth Avenue. Classical-Assyrian-Renaissance Revival fusion in style with gilding and an Egyptian alabaster top in a motif of opposing griffins and cornucopias satyrs’ masks that flank a central pillar of abalone. The carved legs are encrusted with teardrop garlands. 1881-1882. Gilded wood, alabaster, and mother-of-pearl. Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. In the public domain. via https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/631986
Console table commissioned for the ground floor atrium. ca. 1881-82. Marble, silverplate and bronze.
Console table commissioned for the ground floor atrium of the William H. Vanderbilt residence at 640 Fifth Avenue. ca. 1881-82. Marble, silverplate and bronze. Image © 2017 Dallas Museum of Art. Fair use license. via https://collections.dma.org/artwork/3101582

Paintings that are mostly landscapes with far more drama and atmospheric things going on than your average work. Thomas Cole, artist (1801-1848). Founder of the Hudson River School, he was born in England but mostly worked in America.

"A View of the Mountain Pass Called the Notch of the White Mountains," 1839.
“A View of the Mountain Pass Called the Notch of the White Mountains,” 1839. Oil on canvas. Image © 2019 National Gallery of Art. Fair use license. via https://www.vqronline.org/thomas-cole-and-decorative-arts
"Expulsion from the Garden of Eden." 1827-28.
“Expulsion from the Garden of Eden.” 1827-28. Oil on canvas. Collection of Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Public domain due to age. via https://www.theartstory.org/artist/cole-thomas/
"The Voyage of Life: Youth."
“The Voyage of Life: Youth.” Second in a series of four paintings that depict the various stage of man’s allegorical journey through life. 1840. Oil on canvas. Collection of the Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute, Utica, New York. In the public domain due to age. via https://www.theartstory.org/artist/cole-thomas/artworks/#pnt_5

Linoleum advertising from back when linoleum was fun and exciting.

Sun Porch. 1927.
Sun Porch. 1927. Armstrong advertisement. In the public domain. via https://www.vintag.es/2019/07/1920s-armstrong-interior-designs.html
"Can you see why sales are increasing in this store?" 1948.
“Can you see why sales are increasing in this store?” 1948. Advertisement for Armstrong asphalt tile (detail). Image 1995-2019 eBay Inc. Fair use license. via https://www.ebay.com/itm/1948-Vintage-Print-Ad-40s-ARMSTRONG-ASPHALT-TILE-Illustration-Mid-Century-/183040859343
"If your fingers just itch to plan rooms that are different."
“If your fingers just itch to plan rooms that are different” (detail). Vintage advertisement for Armstrong linoleum floors. Public domain. via https://sosyalforum.org/home-retro-advertisements
"Gay as a June Day." Vintage.
“Gay as a June Day” (detail). Vintage. Advertisement for Armstrong Linoleum Floors from the Ladies Home Journal. Public domain. via https://www.ebay.com/itm/ARMSTRONGS-LINOLEUM-FLOOR-decor-decoration-furniture-208-1935-Vintage-Print-Ad-/183678241742
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Landscapes by American painter Dwight William Tryon (1849-1925). Various collections. Mostly with trees, one with just water.

"Morning." Undated.
“Morning.” Undated. Image courtesy Peabody Institute. In the public domain due to age. via http://www.urbanartantiques.com/2009/dwight-william-tryon-and-his-early-spring/
"After Sunset looking East." 1915. Painting.
“After Sunset looking East.” 1915. Painting. In the public domain in the United States because the artist has been dead over 70 years. via https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:After_sunset_looking_east_dwight_william_tryon.jpeg
"Apple Blossoms." ca. 1895.
“Apple Blossoms.” ca. 1895. Painting. Signed D W Tryon 1805″ on the bottom right. Uploaded by and collection of the Brooklyn Museum. In the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1924. via https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brooklyn_Museum_-_Apple_Blossoms_-_Dwight_William_Tryon_-_overall.jpg
"Before Sunrise, June 1905." 1905.
“Before Sunrise, June.” 1905. Oil on canvas. Image © 2019 Detroit Institute of Arts. Fair use license. via https://www.dia.org/art/collection/object/sunrise-june-63762