Asher B. Durand print collection
Call Number
Date
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
The collection holds copies of prints engraved by Durand, or engraved by others after paintings by Durand.
Arrangement
Engravings are grouped by size.
Scope and Contents
The Asher B. Durand Print Collection holds copies of prints engraved by Durand, or engraved by others after paintings by Durand. The collection is divided into two series: Boxed Prints and Oversize Prints. Therein prints are filed by title or by general subject.
Included in the collection are early engravings made by Durand in 1813 while an apprentice in the shop of Peter Maverick. From the years 1824 to 1832, Durand made a living as a bank note engraver under the firms A.B. & C. Durand & Co., A.B. & C. Durand, Wright & Co., and Durand, Perkins & Co. Many of these engravings and vignettes are included here. Book and magazine illustrations in the collection include the title page to the New-York Mirror (used from 1831-1840) and a copy of William Cullen Bryant's The American Landscape, for which Durand engraved views. Portraits of famous Americans engraved by Durand are arranged alphabetically. Four of Durand's major plates are represented: classical subjects "Musidora" and "Ariadne;" a portrait of Andrew Jackson after John Vanderlyn; and a scene of the signing of the "Declaration of Independence" after John Trumball. The collection also includes several prints engraved by other artists after Durand's landscape paintings.
Subjects
Access Restrictions
Materials in this collection may be stored offsite. For more information on making arrangements to consult them, please visit www.nyhistory.org/library/visit.
Use Restrictions
Taking images of documents from the library collections for reference purposes by using hand-held cameras and in accordance with the library's photography guidelines is encouraged. As an alternative, patrons may request up to 20 images per day from staff.
Application to use images from this collection for publication should be made in writing to: Department of Rights and Reproductions, The New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024-5194, rightsandrepro@nyhistory.org. Phone: (212) 873-3400 ext. 282.
Copyrights and other proprietary rights may subsist in individuals and entities other than the New-York Historical Society, in which case the patron is responsible for securing permission from those parties. For fuller information about rights and reproductions from N-YHS visit: https://www.nyhistory.org/about/rights-reproductions
Preferred Citation
This collection should be cited as Asher B. Durand Print Collection, PR 221, Department of Prints, Photographs, and Architectural Collections, New-York Historical Society.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gifts of various donors, including Lucy Durand Woodman, daughter of the artist, and her daughter, Nora Durand Woodman.
About this Guide
Processing Information
The collection was processed by Jenny Gotwals in the early 2000s and her finding aid was published online in 2011. The finding aid was updated in July and September 2021 by archivist Larry Weimer with the addition of newly acquired prints.
Repository
Series I: Boxed Prints
Scope and Contents note
Series I contains smaller format works that are housed in boxes.
The American Landscape, 1830
Bank notes, undated
Bank note vignettes, undated
Book and magazine illustrations, undated
Certificates and miscellaneous, undated
Engravings after Durand paintings, undated
General note
See also: Folder 14
Portraits, sitters A-G, undated
Scope and Contents
Portraits of: Commodore Bainbridge; Joel Barlow; General Brown(?); Charles Carroll of Carrollton; Cadwallader D. Colden (2); Samuel H. Cox; David Crockett (3); Stephen Decatur (2); Rev. James B. Finley; William Floyd; Rev. Freeborn Garrettson; William Gaston (2); Edward Gibbon (2).
Portraits, sitters H-M, undated
Scope and Contents
Portraits are: Mr. Hackett (2); Hamilton (bust) (2); Rev. Elijah Hedding; Philip Hone; David Hosack; John Jay; Thomas Jefferson; Georgius Jones (2); James Kent; Rev. Sylvester Larned; Morgan Lewis; Ma-nuncue; Joseph Mountjoy Manners; John Marshall (2); John M. Mason; Rev. Alexander McLeod; Rev. Philip Milledoler; Rev. James Milnor; Samuel L. Mitchill; James Monroe; Lindley Murray.
Portraits, sitters N-Z, undated
Scope and Contents
Portraits are: Aaron Ogden 92); Rev. William Phoebus; W.(?) Renssalaer; Rem Rapelje (photograph of engraving); Robert C. Sands (3); Rev. James Saurin (2); Catharine M. Sedgwick (4); Rev. Joshua Soule(?); J. Summerfield; William Tell; George Washington (3); Rev. John Wesley; Hugh Williamson; Oliver Wolcott;
Portraits. Various
Scope and Contents
Portraits are: Rev. Eliphalet Nott (painted by Ames, 1820); Rev. James B. Finley (painted by J. Paradise); Rev. Joshua Soule (Paradise pinx); James Kent LL.D (painted by F.R. Spencer); and from paintings by J. Neagle: Mrs. Barnes as Isabella, Mr. Cowell as Crack, Mr. Duff as Marmion, Mr. E. Forrest as Rolla, and Mr. Macready as Macbeth.
Immediate source of acquisition:
The contents of the folder were the gift of Stephen Manheimer, 2021. Added to the collection and finding aid by archivist Larry Weimer in September 2021.
Series II: Oversize Prints
Scope and Contents note
Series II contains larger format works that are housed in flat file drawers.
"Declaration of Independence" after Trumbull, 1820
Scope and Contents
Two copies of proof plate, two copies of finished print, one copy of key, one prospectus issued by Trumbull.
"General Andrew Jackson" after Vanderlyn, 1828
"Ariadne" after Vanderlyn, 1835
Scope and Contents
One copy before letters, one copy of finished print.
"Musidora", 1825
Scope and Contents
Four copies.
Prints after Durand's paintings
"Elias Boudinot L.L.D.", 1825
Scope and Contents
Engraved by A.B. Durand. Painted by Waldo & Jewett. Published by E. Huntington, Hartford: 1825. Copyright secured April 30, 1822.
Immediate source of acquisition:
Gift, Stephen Manheimer, July 2021.