"Twilight" by Henry Farrer, Eng.-Amer., (1844-1903)

Etching, ca. 1880, one of four by Farrer published in Poets and Etchers, Osgood & Co., Boston, 1882. The book included 20 etchings by Farrer, R. Swain Gifford, Samuel Colman and James D. Smillie, all members of the N.Y. Etching Club. James Smillie's diaries, which are preserved at the Archives of American Art, record his Nov. 29th 1880 visit to Farrer's 51W. 10th St. studio "with Farrer's ed. of japan proofs for his autograph". While the ed. size is unknown, this signed impression on thin cream laid japan must be one of those Smillie printed and carried to his friend to be signed that day. A dramatic shoreline nocturne, measuring 4-15/16 x 6-13/16, a rich, crisp and luminous impression, printed in a warm dark brown ink on the japan. There are some ripples in the image, soft folds in the generous margins, and creasing at the top margin where previously bound. This photo sadly does not convey the rich and sharp contrast of the image as it was taken near twilight. It is uncommon to find a pencil signed impression of this beautiful print by Farrer.