拍品描述： Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson Bank Note Engravers, New York. Advertising Sample Sheet. 1850s. Choice Very Fine. Immense single plate impression, approximately 26" x 35". Printed on India Paper, likely mounted on card as was typical, though we have not seen this one out of the elegant modern but period-style wood and gilt frame. Total outside dimensions are 28" x 38". Some light staining is seen around the borders. Large tear at bottom measuring around 8 inches, and a large tear at top measures 4 inches. This is one of a very rare class of engravers sample sheets, as the typically seen sheets are in much smaller format and thus were much less ambitious undertakings by the firms that made them. We are aware of five different large-format sheet designs. Two bear the titles of Danforth, Bald & Co., and Danforth Wright, & Co., respectively. These are essentially identical designs other than the title change, but were printed as four panels and then assembled. We are aware of two examples from each title variant, though some are unassembled. Another of this four-panel style was by Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and Edson, though we have never seen it in print and know it only from having seen one of the four steel panels used to print it<p>The present sheet is a magnificent composition and a fine showcase of the engraving firms art. There are more then 200 individual engraved elements including portraits, historical scenes, coin vignettes and others, all elegantly arranged within and around a large urn-shaped cartouche. The urn is positioned atop a bank-note style advertising note bearing the titles of Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson, and New England Bank Note Company. A large medallion portrait of George Washington, after the famed Houdon Bust, is the central design element and decorates the side of the urns massive bowl. We are aware of five examples of this impressive sheet. We sold a nearly identical example in our August 2017 ANA auction for $15,275. A superb display piece.<p><em>Due to its nature and size, this lot will be available for viewing in our California office only, and the winning bidder will pay actual shipping cost. We encourage interested bidders to contact us for delivery options and cost.</em><p> From the Q. David Bowers Collection.