Lot 166: 19c SG Putnam Engraving "Identity' re Elihu Vedder

Stephen Greeley Putnam (American, b. 1852), 19th Century wood block engraving printed on woven tissue paper. Pencil signed by both Elihu Vedder and SG Putnam. Shows two shadowy figures addressing each other "in the gloaming light" of the stillness of "No-man's land"; the one who seems more familiar with the grounds asks the other's identity, to which it replies that it does not know, being to recently deceased and lacking an identifying headstone. Originally, a painting by Elihu Vedder to illustrate the poem "Identity" by Thomas Bailey Aldrich. ref. "Library of Congress" Poem reads: "SOMEWHERE--in desolate wind-swept space--In Twilight-land--in No-man's land--Two hurrying Shapes met face to face,And bade each other stand."And who are you?" cried one a-gape,Shuddering in the gloaming light."I know not," said the second Shape,"I only died last night!" Excellent condition. Art measures 10" x 12". Frame measures 22" x 25".