Historic Masterpieces by Noteworthy Explorers, Geologists, and Painters Come to Sale With Christie’s
Jun 16, 2023 10:00 EDT
Prince Alexander Philipp Maximilian was a German explorer who led momentous expeditions. In 1832, along with the Swiss painter Karl Bodmer, he embarked on a journey to the Missouri River in the United States. He recorded the cultures of Native people, including the Mandan and Hidatsa tribes. On his return, Maximilian wrote Reise in das innere Nord-America in den Jahren 1832 bis 1834. It is also noteworthy that Bodmer’s watercolor paintings for the publication are regarded as the most precise illustrations ever. The first copy of the fully hand-colored masterpiece is a key highlight of this upcoming auction, presented by Christie’s. It includes two large-paper “Imperial” quarto text volumes, one broadside folio atlas of tableaux and one folio atlas of vignettes. Encased in four modern half Morocco clamshell boxes, these comprise wood-engraved illustrations, 48 hand-colored aquatint and engraved plates, and 33 aquatint and engraved plates.
Another striking lot is The Yellowstone National Park (1876) by Thomas Moran and Ferdinand Hayden. It includes the title page, preface, contents leaf, 13-page introduction, two lithographed maps, and 15 chromolithographed plates, signed with the artist’s monogram. Visit Christie’s to view the complete catalog and register to bid in the upcoming The Magnificent Library of Norman Bobins: Part One, American Color sale
Lot Categories:
Collectibles (83)# of Lots:
83Price Range:
$800 - $800,000Interesting lots include:
Item Image | Item Name | Estimate |
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Prince Maximilian and Karl Bodmer, 1839-1841 Title: Reise in das innere Nord-America in den Jahren 1832 bis 1834 |
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Thomas Moran and Ferdinand Hayden, 1876 Title: The Yellowstone National Park |
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Joshua Shaw & John Hill, 1820 Picturesque Views of American Scenery |
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William G. Wall, 1821-1825 Title: The Hudson River Port Folio |
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JW Audubon, 1852 Title: Illustrated Notes of an Expedition through Mexico and California |
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Contact Info
Christie's
- 20 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10020
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- [email protected]
- https://www.christies.com

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