William Edward West Paintings & Artwork for Sale | William Edward West Art Value Price Guide

Apr. 11, 2025
Wm. Humphrys Etching after W. West, Cupid & Psyche 1826
Est: $500 - $750
Willliam Humphrys (Irish-born American, 1794-1865). "Cupid and Psyche" engraving and etching on chine colle painter, 1826. After original painting by William Edward West (American, 1788-1859). A delightful etching by William Humphrys from "The Literary Souvenir, 1827" by Francis Eagleheart, William Humphrys, John Wood and Henry Thompson, R.A. After an original painting by William Edward West, the engraved plate was published in the literary annual as an illustration for the poem "Cupid and Psyche" by the English poet and novelist Letitia Elizabeth Landon (1802-1838). An endearing composition, mounted behind glass in a custom matte and burl wood frame surmounted by a suspension hoop for easy display! Size of etching: 2.625" W x 3.125" H (6.7 cm x 7.9 cm); of frame: 6.875" W x 7.625" H (17.5 cm x 19.4 cm) The Literary Souvenir (1825-1837) was one of the most successful and longest running of the British literary annuals. Spanning twelve years, the annuals published popular Georgian and Victorian literary works and artwork of the day. Later editions concentrated on fine art, portraiture, and painting. These volumes contain a collection of remarkable poetry, prose, short stories, and beautiful engraved images. Published in the Literary Souvenir, 1827," this image would have accompanied a publication of Letitia Elizabeth Landon's poem "Cupid and Psyche," which presents a stark duality of love. The first part portrays a cynical view of Love (personified by Cupid) as a deceptive and destructive force, bringing fleeting joy and lasting sorrow, leaving behind ruin and despair. In contrast, the second stanza offers an idealized vision of Love as gentle, tender, and a source of hope, peace, and unwavering faith, akin to "heaven's own bliss." The poem doesn't retell the myth directly but uses Cupid as a symbol to contrast the painful realities and the utopian potential of love, questioning whether the destructive portrayal is merely a false perception compared to a more beautiful possibility. William Humphrys (c. 1794 1865) was an Irish engraver who made significant contributions to picture engraving, book illustration, and postage stamps. Born in Dublin, he immigrated to the United States and apprenticed under George Murray in Philadelphia. His early career, starting around 1815, involved banknote vignettes and book illustrations for prominent authors. In 1823, he relocated to England for further work in book illustration before returning to the US in 1843 and then Dublin in 1845. A notable period of his career was spent in England with Perkins, Bacon & Co., where he engraved numerous classic stamps, including Chile's first issues and the re-engraving of Queen Victoria's head for the 1d red-brown stamp. Humphrys retired from engraving later in life, becoming an accountant for Novello & Co., and died in Italy in 1865. Provenance: private Morrison, Colorado, USA collection All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. SHIPPING EXCEPTIONS: Due to customs clearance issues, we are unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia. If you live in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase. In addition, please note that we are unable to ship ancient items back to the original country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.) PAYMENT EXCEPTION: Unless a known customer of Artemis, payment for all gold / precious metal / gem lots must be made via Bank Wire Transfer or Certified Bank Check/Money Order, no exceptions. #192165
Artemis Fine Arts
Jun. 24, 2023
West Engraving of the Battle of New Orleans from the War of 1812
Est: $4,000 - $8,000
WEST, William Edward (1788-1857). Battle of New Orleans and Death of Major General Pickenham. Engraving with original hand color. Philadelphia: McCarthy & Davis, 1817. 19 3/4" x 25 1/2" sheet. The Battle of New Orleans is rather unique since unbeknownst to the combatants, the Treaty of Ghent had been signed on 24 December 1814 and the war was officially over. It did however have immense importance for the American people. The most significant military action in the war prior to Jackson's victory had been the taking of Washington and burning of the White House by the British. This was seen as humiliating proof of British superiority, so the unequivocal victory near New Orleans was a great morale booster. Without it, the War of 1812 would have been merely settled. With it, the United States of America could declare victory.
Arader Galleries
Oct. 24, 2021
Attributed to William West (American, 1788-1857), "Portrait of Stephen 'Don Esteban' Minor"
Est: $25,000 - $40,000
Attributed to William Edward West (American, 1788-1857) "Portrait of Stephen 'Don Esteban' Minor (1760-1815)", ca. 1809 oil on canvas unsigned. Framed. 35" x 27", framed 42-1/2" x 34-1/2" Provenance: With the sitter and his wife, Katherine Linot Minor (1770-1844); to their son, William John Minor (1808-1869); to his son, William Robert Minor (1834-1913); to his daughter, Charlotte Duncan Minor Payne; thence by descent to her daughter; sold in these rooms, December 5, 2009, lot 806; Private collection, Louisiana. Literature: Illustrated, Louisiana Portraits, The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, 1975, p. 187. Notes: Stephen Minor was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, on February 8, 1760, and first ventured to New Orleans in 1779. He joined the Spanish army and participated in a military expedition against Fort Charlotte, located near Mobile in British West Florida. Arriving in the Natchez District in the early 1780s, Minor received a commission as a captain in the Spanish army, and served as adjutant at Fort Panmure, Natchez. During this time, Minor assisted the Spanish governor Manuel Gayoso de Lemos in various administrative duties. He also served as liaison between Spanish officials and Anglo-American settlers and Natchez Indians. In that capacity, he came to be referred to as "Don Esteban." After Gayoso was appointed governor of Louisiana, Minor briefly served as acting governor until the Spanish evacuated Natchez in 1798, following the creation of the Mississippi Territory by the United States Congress. From Governor Gayoso, Minor purchased Concord in Natchez, the only Spanish colonial-style manse in Natchez, a three-story structure with galleries on each side. Under Gayoso's, and Minor's administrations, Concord served as the governmental and cultural hub of the territory. Minor's second wife, Katherine, was reputedly known as "Yellow Duchess" reflecting her fondness for things golden. Among Minor's holdings were plantations in Adams county, Mississippi producing tobacco, indigo and ultimately cotton, and about 40,000 acres east of the Pearl River in Louisiana. Minor died in Natchez in 1815, and his spouse followed him in death in 1844. Concord fell into disrepair, and burned in 1901. The grounds of Concord are now the part of Natchez referred to as "Minorville".
New Orleans Auction Galleries
Jun. 27, 2021
William Edward West, 1788-1857, Kentucky Painter
Est: -
William Edward West, 1788-1857, Kentucky Painter. National Portrait Gallery. Fine copy as new in the original plastic shrink wrap.
Caswell Prewitt Realty, INC
Sep. 24, 2017
Attr. to William Edward West, Portrait of C. Hayes
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
Attributed to William Edward West (American, 1788-1857), "Portrait of Catherine Hayes", oil on canvas, unsigned, red stenciled text on verso of canvas. Formal portrait of the noted Irish opera singer, Catherine Hayes (married name, Bushnell) 1818-1861) depicted at bust length with dark brown ringlet curls and rosy cheeks. Framed approximately 33.5" x 29.75". Unframed approximately 24" x 20".
Ahlers & Ogletree Inc.
May. 08, 2016
After William Edward West (American, 1788-1857)
Est: $300 - $500
After William Edward West (American, 1788-1857)., "The Battle of New Orleans and the Death of Major General Packenham", 1817, engraving, published by McCarty and Davis, Philadelphia, sight 15 1/2 in. x 19 3/4 in., framed. Provenance: Arader Galleries, NY, Mar. 7, 1994; a New Orleans private collection
Neal Auction Company
Aug. 16, 2015
PORTRAIT OF GEORGE WASHINGTON SARGENT, CIRCA 1819. ATTRIBUTED TO WILLIAM EDWARD WEST (AMERICAN 1788-1857).
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
George W. Sargent (1802-1864), the younger son of Winthrop Sargent, first Governor of the Mississippi Territory, was born at Gloucester Place, the family's plantation in Natchez, Mississippi. After graduating from Harvard and marrying Margaret Percy in 1824, he divided his time between Philadelphia and Natchez, managing the family's extensive land holdings. He was killed at Gloucester Place in 1864 by Union soldiers intent on looting the plantation house. Oil on canvas, 30 x 25 inches. Provenance: The sitter; to his daughter, Jane Percy Sargent Duncan (1833-1905) and by direct descent in the family to the present owner.Note: A portrait miniature identical to this painting is in the collection of the Sargent House Museum, Gloucester, Massachusetts.
Bourgeault-Horan Antiquarians
Nov. 23, 2013
Joseph Yeager (American, c. 1792-1859)
Est: $1,500 - $2,000
Joseph Yeager (American, c. 1792-1859), after William Edward West (American, 1788-1857), "Battle of New Orleans and Death of Major General Packenham on the 8th of January 1815", copper-plate engraving by J. Yeager, published by McCarty and Davis, Phil., July, 1817, sheet 18 in. x 22 1/2 in
Neal Auction Company
Oct. 05, 2013
POSSIBLY WILLIAM EDWARD WEST (AMERICAN, 1788-1857) BERNARD MOORE CARTER (1801-1850) Oil on canvas: 30 x 25 in.
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
POSSIBLY WILLIAM EDWARD WEST (AMERICAN, 1788-1857) BERNARD MOORE CARTER (1801-1850) Oil on canvas: 30 x 25 in. Framed Provenance: Carroll-Carter Family Collection from a direct descendant of Daniel Carroll (1764-1849) of Duddington Manor, Washington, DC
Potomack Company
May. 20, 2012
25 Books on Fine Art and Architecture
Est: $75 - $125
Group of Twenty-Five Volumes Pertaining to fine Art and Italian and Continental Architecture, including, The Paintings and Sketches of Louis Kahn , by Jan Hochstim; Marie Andrien Persac, Louisiana Architect , by Bacot, SoRelle Bacot, Reeves, Magill and Lawrence; William Edward West, 1788-1857, Kentucky Painter , by Pennington; My Life in Pictures, Ethel Wright Mohamed , signed by the author/artist; The Bauhaus Masters and Students by Themselves , by Whitford; Painting in the South 1564-1980 , by The Virginia Museum; History of Italian Architecture 1944-1985 , by Tafuri; Italian Villas and Their Gardens?, by Edith Wharton and Maxfield Parish, Da Capo printing 1988; Romantic England Writing and Pa8inting 1717-1851 , by Quennell; Ville Venete , by Canova; Chateaux and Villas?, by Architectural Digest; Vitruvius, The Ten Books on Architecture?, translated by Morgan; Ravenna Art and History?, by Bovini; Stonehenge Revealed , by Souden; Indian Summer Lutyens Baker and Imperial Delhi , by Irving; Stately Mansions Eighteenth Century Paris Architecture , by Gallet; Mackintosh's Masterwork Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow School of Art , by Buchanan et al; Baroque Architecture , by Norberg-Schulz; Artist's of the Canyongs and Caminos, Santa Fe, The Early Years , by Robertson and Nestor; The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts , by Hind; Holsinger's Charlottesville , by Hebich and Walters; The Artists Handbook of Materials and Techniques , by Mayer; Architectural Illustrations in Watercolors , by Hoffpauier and Rosner; Jona Lie (1880-1940) Exhibition Catalogue , by Spanierman Gallery; and The Art of Color and Design , by Graves.
New Orleans Auction Galleries
Sep. 11, 2010
After William Edward West (1788-1857), Battle of
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
After William Edward West (1788-1857), Battle of New Orleans: The Death of General Packenham. On the 8th of January 1815, Philadelphia, engraved by J. Yeager, printed by Y. Saurman, published by McCarthy & Davis, keyed alphabetically, 1815 or later, engraving on wove paper, unframed,15-15/16 x 20-7/8 in. (plate), 18 x 22-7/8 in., full margins, light toning and foxing at edges, some chipping at corners and edges Private Collection, Newport, Tennessee
Brunk Auctions
Apr. 18, 2009
After William Edward West (American, 1788-1857),
Est: $700 - $1,000
After William Edward West (American, 1788-1857), "Battle of New Orleans and Death of Major General Packenham, On the 8th of January 1815", copper engraving by Joseph Yeager, printed by Y Saurman, published by McCarty and Davis, Booksellers, Printers and
Neal Auction Company
Oct. 11, 2008
After William Edward West (American, 1788-1857),
Est: $800 - $1,200
After William Edward West (American, 1788-1857), "Battle of New Orleans and Death of Major General Packenham, On the 8th of January 1815", copper engraving by Joseph Yeager, printed by Y. Saurman, published by McCarty and Davis, Booksellers, Printers and Stationers, Philad., July 1817, sight 16 in. x 20 in., attractively matted and framed.
Neal Auction Company