[Rarebooks] FS: Uncommon 1899 Book on Antique Colonial American Silver

[Joslin Hall Rare Books]

Uncommon 1899 Book on Antique Colonial American Silver -

“Colonial Silverware of the 17th and 18th Centuries. Comprising Solid 
Sets, Small Wares, Candelabras, Communion Service, etc.”

By Newton W. Elwell. Published in Boston by Geo. H. Polley & Co. in 
1899.

One of the earliest studies of American silver, and probably the 
earliest study to publish photos of American silver. Preceded by Buck, 
but then Buck was not wholly devoted to American silver. Of course, to 
be honest, this is not wholly devoted to American silver either, with 
English examples creeping in here and there. If we are going in this 
direction, it's not all 17th and 18th century either, but the intent at 
least was there. The plates mainly illustrate multiple pieces, 
identified by where they were photographed, such as "elaborate silver 
ware from Baltimore, Maryland", "Odd Silver Sugar Bowls, for Lump Sugar, 
from Maryland", and so on. Localities are much more likely, therefore, 
to relate to where the silver was at the time the photos were taken 
(mainly in private homes) rather than where it was made. There are some 
pieces with histories -silver known to have been owned by a certain 
person, several identified sets of church plate, etc.

In 1896 Elwell had published a study of Colonial American furniture, and 
in 1897 he produced a companion volume of furniture and interiors of 
Colonial Maryland and Virginia, both of which used the same format as 
this book. All three books are scarce.

Hardcover. 13"x17.5", title page + 1 page of photo listings plus 74 
black & white illustrations on 40 plates. Ex-library, bound in old cloth 
with taped spine and tips, bookplate, some cover wear and soil; a little 
soil on the plates. $250 net

Some Pictures =>
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-- 
JOSLIN HALL RARE BOOKS, ABAA
Fine books of the 16th-20th centuries
on the decorative and fine arts & design

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