| Title: |
Hygrometer #2 (Fig. 7,8 & 10) (Dobson's Encyclopaedia) |
| Artist: |
Trenchard, James (born, Penns Neck, New Jersey, 1747) |
| Date: |
1794 |
| Medium: |
Original Engraving |
| Publisher: |
Dobson, Philadelphia |
| Source: |
Encyclopaedia; or A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Miscellaneous Literature;... |
| Note: |
Thomas Dobson (Scotland, 1751 - Philadelphia,1823):
Thomas Dobson's "Encyclopaedia" (1789-1803) is listed as the
first American Encyclopedia published entirely in the United States.
It was largely based upon the third edition of the British "Encyclopaedia
Britannica", (1788-1797), yet, Dobson's title page reads; "The first American Editon, in eighteen
Volumes, Greatly Improved". Listed in their collection, the John Adams Public Library contains a
complete eighteen volumes set issued in parts (1790-1797) and the four supplements
issued (1803). The title pages to all their volumes are dated (1798). The engravings,
(as printed on the title pages) include five hundred and forty-two original copper plate illustrations.
The engravings dealt mainly with science, natural history and the useful arts of the day. The plates were
engraved by James Trenchard (b, 1747), Robert Scot, (1744?-1823), James Thackara
(1767-1848), John Vallance (1770-1823) and other fine engravers. Among other factors,
these are very valuable engravings because the names of the artists appearing
on most of these plates take us back to the incunabula of original American
printmaking. Notable subscribers to Dobson's "Encyclopedia" included important public figures such
as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and many other prominent
citizens. This original James Trenchard engraving,
entitled "Levels" hails from this source. |
| |
Other books printed and or published by Thomas Dobson include
the first edition of Adam Smith's "Wealth of Nations" (1789)
and the first Hebrew Bible published in America (1814), the second book
on Australia to be published in America, George Barrington's "A
Voyage to New South Wales" (1796), and many other noteworthy volumes. |
| |
James Trenchard (born, Penns Neck, New Jersey, 1747): James Trenchard came to Philadelphia in 1777 and
studied engraving with the artist, James Smithers there. Trenchard was one of five founders and later the owner of the
Columbian Magazine, or, Monthly Miscellany Philadelphia (1786-1792) and provided many of the important early
topographical engravings for this publication. He also made dies for medals. "Hygrometer #2, Fig. 7,8 & 10" is a striking example
of the engraved art James Trenchard created for Dobson's first American "Encyclopaedia". |
| |
An additional selection of artists who contributed original engravings to the first
American Encyclopedia published by Thomas Dobsan, (1789-1803) include, Robert Scot who was born in England and was originally a watchmaker.
He moved to Philadelphia in 1783 where he engraved portraits and scientific
plates. He was appointed engraver to the United States mint in 1793.
The names of 'James Thackara and John Vallance' are also prominent. James
Thackara (Philadelphia, 1767 - 1848) was apprenticed to James Trenchard
and married his daughter. From 1791 to 1797, he established in engraving
partnership with Vallance. Later, he was appointed Keeper of the Pennsylvania
Academy of Fine Arts. John Vallance (Scotland, 1770 - Philadelphia,
1823) came to America in 1791 and became a partner with Thackara. He
engraved portraits and encyclopaedia plates and was a founder of the Association of Artists in America (1794).
He is also known to have engraved a number of very early American bank
notes. |
| |
Like most eighteenth century plates, these engravings are
quite scarce. These fascinating engravings are also very valuable as
records of early American art and science. This original engraving depicts the
Hygrometers. These instruments record moisture in the air. Earlier hygrometers,
such as the late eighteenth century trio depicted here, often contained hair or catgut,
which altered in length when absorbing humidity and thus moved the scale to which they
were attached. |
| Size: |
9 X 7 1/4 (Sizes in inches are approximate,
height preceding width of plate-mark or image.) |
| |
Matted with 100% Archival Materials |
| Condition: |
Printed upon fine, hand-made laid paper and with full margins
as published in Philadelphia in 1794. It is a strong impression and in
very good condition throughout. Altogether, Hygrometer #2 (Fig. 7,8 & 10) is a very
important, early American engraving. |
| Subject: |
Hygrometer, Dobson's Encyclopaedia, eighteenth century
American science, natural history and the technical arts, humidity,
atmosphere, record moisture, hair or catgut, James Trenchard (born, 1747). |
| Price: |
Sold - The price is no longer available. |
| Important Information: |
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