Lot 33: NOTMAN, WILLIAM (1826-1891) Impressive album containing 56 remarkable topographic views of Canada, marvelous composites,

Name: NOTMAN, WILLIAM (1826-1891) Impressive album containing 56 remarkable topographic views of Canada, marvelous composites,
Brand: Swann Auction Galleries
SKU: j0uzfvu8o7

Est: $15,000 USD - $20,000 USDSold:

Swann Auction GalleriesNew York, NY, USFebruary 07, 2008

Item Overview

Description

NOTMAN, WILLIAM (1826-1891)
Impressive album containing 56 remarkable topographic views of Canada, marvelous composites, studio tableaux, and scenes of Niagara Falls, comprising 11 full-plates and 45 smaller views. Albumen prints, 8 3/4x13 to7x9 inches (22.2x33 to 17.7x22.8 cm.) and the reverse, most with handwritten captions on the mount. Royal folio, brown morocco, gilt-ruled raised bands, blind and gilt-lettered border decorations, light wear. 1860s-70

Artist or Maker

William (1826) Notman

Condition Report

All items are offered for sale subject to Swann Galleries'' standard terms and conditions of sale, which are published in our catalogues.

Notes

William Notman''s successful photographic career spanned thirty-five years. During that time he built up the largest business in North America, establishing a primary studio in Montreal and, at one time or another, seven studios in Canada and, counting seasonal studios at several colleges, nineteen in the northeastern United States.

This Notman album demonstrates his formidable talents, with a picturesque scene of shad fishing, bird''s-eye-view of Montreal, majestic studies of Niagara Falls and two of his fantastic composite images.

According to Stanley Triggs of the McCord Museum: "The occasion of a fancy dress skating carnival in the Victoria Rink was staged in honour of Prince Arthur, who was stationed in Montreal. Notman declared his intention of making a record of the event, and invited those who planned to participate in the skating carnival to bring their costumes and skates to the studio and have their portraits taken for a composite photograph."

One hundred and fifty people answered the advertisement and donned their diverse costumes. The final picture includes: Scottish couples in Highland costume, Elizabethan ladies and courtiers, soldiers and sailors, a pilgrim father, the goddess Diana, young women in peasant costumes, a woman dressed as the morning star, and an "Indian" who appears to be aiming his arrow at a woman smoking a cigar.

The smaller views include two different tableaux of a hunt, with naturalistic studio scenes, replete with camp fires and caribou. This group also highlights places of natural beauty (St. Anne''s Falls, Chaudiere Falls, and Rideau Falls) as well as local engineering feats, including Victoria Bridge.

JPGs are available upon request.

Auction Details

FINE PHOTOGRAPHS

Swann Auction Galleries

February 07, 2008, 02:30 PM EST

104 East 25th Street, New York, NY, 10010, US

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