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| Capewell & Kimmel's original engraving, "Godey's Fashions for April, 1863" is printed on mid-nineteenth century wove paper with full margins as published for Godey's Lady's Book, Philadelphia in 1863. This fashion print is one of the large double page fold-out plates the 19th century magazine included to depict the latest and most fashionable dresses, hats, and various other articles of clothing for women, men and children. It depicts four finely dressed women at their leisure in a drawing room. This original engraving stands as a beautiful example of the art of Capewell & Kimmel published for Godey's Lady's Book and it is also a historical example of 1860's fashion art. |
| Title: | Godey's Fashions for April, 1863 |
| Artist: | Capewell & Kimmel, Engravers & Printers, New York (active, c. 1853 - 1863) |
| Date: | 1863 |
| Medium: | Original Hand - Coloured Engraving |
| Source: | Godey's Lady's Book, Philadelphia |
| Publisher: | L. A. Godey, Philadelpia |
| Note: | Capewell & Kimmel: An American engraving firm, based in New York, Capewell & Kimmel created original engravings for various mid 19th century publications such as, Godey's Lady's Book published by Louis A. Godey in Philadelphia from 1830 to 1898, and Frank Leslie's Ladies' Gazette. * G. B. Opitz, Mantle Fielding’s Dictionary of American Painters, Sculptors and Engravers, Poughkeepsie, New York, Apollo Books, 1987, p. 488, states that P. K. Kimmel was an engraver of vignettes and portraits working in New York around 1850 and that he later became a member of the New York engraving firm of Capewell & Kimmel. Fielding also suggests that he may also be the same German / American engraver and lithographer, Christopher Kimmel born in 1930 who was also a member of the Kimmel & Forster firm. It is very possible that Kimmel's first name is Christopher, as there is another engraving in our inventory created a year later entitled, Godey's Fashion for October 1964 engraved by 'Chr. Kimmel & Co.'. The original engraving offered for sale here was created by Capewell & Kimmel and it hails from Godey's Lady's 1863 issue published two years before the end of the American Civil War. |
| The information concerning Kimmel's partner, Capewell is scarce and the Capewell name does not seem to appear on other engravings, with the exception of the Capewell & Kimmel partnership. However, The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts lists a portrait of Charles F. Briggs by Capewell & Kimmel in their collection, Accession Number 1956.32 and The New York Public Library lists another engraving, The Crystal Palace engraved by the same firm, Registration number, 2011.5.92, Both of these institutions list the artists as Samuel Capewell and Christopher Kimmel. There is also an 1850 United States Federal Census listing a Samuel Capewell, born in 1826 and residing in New York (possibly the same). This original engraving was published in Philadelphia for Godey's Lady's Book in 1863. It contains the Capewell & Kimmel name printed below the image. | |
| Not all the works created by the Capewell & Kimmel firm were fashion plates, two excellent examples of their topographical engravings include, New York, (c. 1852), Registration number, 29.100.2011 and The Crystal Palace (c.1853), Registration number, x2011.5.92, both are listed in the permanent collection of the Museum of the City of New York and any more fine examples of their fashion plates and topographical engravings can be found in The New York Public Library Collection, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and other important institutions. | |
Capewell & Kimmel 1863 |
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Chr. Kimmel & Co. 1864 |
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Godey's Lady's Book: In the Early Victorian era a new and rapidly growing economic force was making itself felt. The publishing industry began to print directly for the upper and middle class women. In America, the two strongest rivals for this field were Godey's Lady's book (1830-1878), and Peterson's Magazine (1842-1898). "Godey's Lady's Book" was first published in Philadelphia by Louis Antoine Godey (1804-1878), as "Ladys' Book" in 1830, and in 1837, wanting to expand his readership, he acquired the "American Ladies' Magazine", a publication which was then edited by Sarah Josepha Hale (1788-1879). Godey placed Hale in charge of editing his new aquasition, now to be known as "Godey's Lady's Book, Ladies' Magazine", and which Hale would continue editing until her retirement in 1877. As Godey's Lady's Book was the first successful American women's magazine in its field, its methods were copied by many imitators. Although Godey's periodicals and large annuals were aimed exclusively to the female interests, amusements, entertainments, education and moral instruction, the issues also contained articles for men. As well, every monthly issue contained black and white steel engravings, wood engravings and the famous full page, hand-colored plate detailing the latest fashions. This was by far the most popular feature in the book and around 1860, Godey's increased its fashion plate to a double page fold-out plate. Such is the case with this original example engraved by the Capewell & Kimmel firm for Godey's Fashions April, 1863 issue. The hand coloring was always added, by women employed by Godey, before the plate was stitched into the volume. For many years, these images have been highly sought after as important, historical examples of the dress and customs of the day. |
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| Sarah Josepha Hale played a major role as editor of "Godey's Book", she not only imporoved the magazine's circulation, but managed to influence a large population of women of her time. Hale supported such humanitarian organizations as the Boston Ladies' Peace Society, and most importantly, encouraged women's education. She was the author of "The Woman's Record; or, Sketches of Distinguished Women" (1853-1869, and 1876), esays, cookbooks, poetry, and "children's books, one such book was "Poems for Our Children (1830), which contained a well known poem, "Mary had a Little Lamb". S. J. Hale ensured the articles and illustrations in "Godey's Lady's Book" contained exciting innovations, novel ideas and practical suggestions for the modern woman of the day. The entertainment portion included religious and moral instruction and interesting articles concerning current events, poetry, tales of adventure and romance. Some of the literature was written by famous authors such as Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Washington Irving and other eminent American authors. The issues also contained music and song sheets with the waltz, polka or other popular melodies, and for fun, the magazine included puzzles and games. These articles, in large, engendered a great source of delight for the entire family. Another valuable part of the magazine included the Modern Cookery and Household Management which contained recipes for meals with instructions on how to preserve food and prepare meats, baked goods, drinks and sweets, and also, what herbs or vegetables were recommended and necessary in their family gardens. The information was meant to help women keep their husbands and children well fed, in good health, and happy. Many articles also contained useful, practical and instructive information such as, how to make cleansers, creams, poison and many other handy little things. However, I believe that the most important articles were those containing the latest medical practices and instructions for the preparation of medicinal home remedies and cures which were essential to the 19th century homemaker and the health of the family. Nonetheless, one of the most popular features of this magazine embraced the world of fashion. These articles contained numerous engravings of patterns with measurements to help women sew, embroider or knit garments and decorative but useful items such as, curtains, quilts, pillow cases, sheets and even toys for their children. As a bonus, the magazine included wonderful and colorful depictions of the latest and most fashionable dresses, hats, and various other articles of clothing for women, men and children. It is important to note that unlike today, TV, radio and other forms of electronic entertainment were not available and in a way, this could be considered their version of our social mass media. Also, of even greater importance is the fact that this particular publication was printed and published in 1863, during the American Civil War (1861-1865). It is not difficult to understand why Godey's monthly Magazine was one of the most successful American women's magazines of its time. Today, engravings such as this original example entitled, Godey's Fashions for April, 1863 provide an important and historical record of the customs, tastes, and morals from that period. | |
| Size: | 8 X 10 1/2 (Sizes in inches are approximate, height preceding width of plate-mark or image.) |
| Matted with 100% Archival Materials | |
| Buy Now | Price: $195.00 US |
| Condition: | Printed on mid-nineteenth century wove paper and with full margins as published by Godey's in 1863. It contains the vertical crease, as usual. This is a strongly printed, early impression and contains a slight water stain in the upper central area of the plate, else it is in very good condition throughout. This original engraving stands as a beautiful example of 1860's fashion art. |
| Important Information: | The artist biographies, research and or information pertaining to all the original works of art posted on our pages has been written and designed by Greg & Connie Peters exclusively for our site, (www.artoftheprint.com). Please visit us regularly to view the latest artworks offered for sale. We will soon be posting an update of our most recent research and include the biographical and historical information pertaining to our next collection of original works of art created by artists throughout the centuries. We hope you found the information you were looking for and that it has been beneficial. Our Gallery, (Art of the Print / www.artoftheprint.com) guarantees the authenticity of every work of art we sell 100%. Full documentation and certification is provided. We offer a wide selection of international fine art dating from the early Renaissance to the contemporary art period. |
Original Hand-Coloured Engraving by Capewell & Kimmel published for Godey's Lady's Book, Philadelphia.
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| Godey's Fashions for April, 1863 |
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