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Call Number:
MSS 55
Holdings:
[Request]
Creator:
Bastin, John, 1813 or 1814–1851
Title(s):
John Bastin archive
Date:
circa 1840-1851
Extent:
1 linear feet
Classification:
Archives and Manuscripts
Abstract:
The collection comprises proofs for book illustrations engraved on wood by John Bastin.
Provenance:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Fund
Conditions Governing Access:
This collection is unprocessed and may not be available for immediate access.
Conditions Governing Use:
Copyright Undetermined

The collection is the physical property of the Yale Center for British Art. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. For further information, consult the Archives Department.
Scope and Content:
The collection comprises proofs for book illustrations engraved on wood by John Bastin. Most of the engravings are India paper proofs, some with manuscript notes, signatures and corrections. The contents include works after the original designs by the foremost book illustrators of the 1840s and 1850s, including Edward Lear (13 prints), John Tenniel (23), J. Bridges, J. Naysmith, F. Pollard, C. Ward, and G.F. Sargent. Also included in the group are a few proofs for De La Motte Fouqué's illustrated English edition of Undine after drawings by Tenniel. For this work, the Art Union (1847) described Bastin as "one of the best wood engravers of our time, whose productions comprise high finish with artistic skill and matured judgement." Of particular interest are the corrections and notes (in graphite) on some of the proofs. One wood engraving, for example, has the Alpine scenery partly highlighted in white and carries several annotations, such as "this rock is too formal." Other engravings include a number produced for a Great Exhibition publication illustrating glass, ceramic, and metal vases and ornaments.
Genre:
Wood engravings and Proofs (printed matter)
Subject Terms:
Illustration of books
Wood-engravers
Wood-engraving
Associated People/Groups:
Bastin, John, 1813 or 1814-1851
Great Exhibition (1851) (London, England)
Finding Aid Title:
John Bastin archive
Collection PDF:
https://ead-pdfs.library.yale.edu/11785.pdf
Archival Object:
https://archives.yale.edu/repositories/3/resources/11785
Metadata Cloud URL:
https://metadata-api.library.yale.edu/metadatacloud/api/aspace/repositories/3/resources/11785?mediaType=json&include-notes=1&include-all-subjects=1