The Philadelphia Print Shop, Ltd.
Prints by Joseph Pennell
Joseph Pennell (1860-1926) was an etcher, lithographer, illustrator and author. He is one of the best known and respected of American artists from the etching revival period. Born in Philadelphia, Pennell trained at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and at the Pennsylvania School of Industrial Art, and later he taught at the National Academy and the Art Students League in New York City. From 1883, Pennell spent most of his time in Europe, until 1917 when he moved back permanently to the United States. Over his distinguished and prolific career, he won many medals and awards in the United States and in Europe, and is considered one of the great etching innovators of the time. Amongst his other achievements, Pennell illustrated and authored many books, contributed to leading magazines and was one of the founders of the Philadelphia Society of Etchers.
Pennell's major influence was James McNeill Whistler, whose biography he co-authored with his wife, and much of his style and etching technique reflects Whistler's. His prints had many themes, including monuments, cities, factories and for one documentary series, the Panama Canal. Pennell printed many of his own lithographs and etchings, and he continuously experimented with techniques and materials. His work is desirable for his technique, artistic style and the varied subject matter that he so imaginatively portrayed.
NOTE: Numbers preceded by "W" refer to the Wuerth Catalogue Raisonné reference books, which contain plates of all of Pennell's etchings and lithographs. All prints are signed in pencil and are in very good condition, unless noted.
Etchings:
- W272. "West Door, St. Pauls." 1903. 11 x 8 1/2. Ed:50. $850
- W327. "Union Square and Bank of Metropolis." [New York] 1904. On fine tissue. 11 3/4 x 8 3/8. Signed in pencil. Ed: 75. W327. $600
- W366. "St. Paul's Pavement." [London] 1905. 8 1/2 x 11. Ed: ca. 30. $600
- W385. "Sunlight Soap." [London] 1905. 8 1/2 x 10 7/8. Ed: ca. 50. Signed in pencil. $425
- W537. "Coal Wharves Staten Island No. 1." 1909. 5 1/2 x 12. Signed in pencil by the artist. Ed: 60. $1,200
- W597. "The Meuse Mill." [Germany] 1910. 9 1/2 x 12 1/2. Signed in pencil by the artist. Mat burn in margins. $300
- W629. "The Cathedral, Panama." 1912. 9 1/4 x 12 1/4. Framed. $450
- W739. "What the City built beautifully, it destroys Ruthlessly." 1920. 8 x 9 3/4. Ed: 50. W739. View of the Victorian Stand Pipe and Pump Houses, Farmount Water Works, Philadelphia. Signed in pencil. Titled in plate. $900
- W746. "Fourth Street Meeting House." [Philadelphia]. 1920. 8 x 9 7/8. Ed: 50. $850
- W805. "General Office Building Brooklyn Edison Co." 1923. 12 x 10. $625
- W809. "Lodgings for Gents." [New York] 1923. 11 3/4 x 8 3/4. $800
- W819. "The Nave, Washington Cathedral." 1923. 9 3/4 x 11 7/8. W819. $750
Unrecorded etchings not found in Wuerth:
Lithographs:
- W11. "Apartments of Washington Irving." 1896. 7 1/4 x 5. Lithograph. Signed in pencil by the artist. Ed:15. $500
- W164. "St. Paul's from Adelphia, London." 1904. 8 1/2 x 11 1/2. Ed:15. Signed in image. Diagonal line from stone in image upper left quadrant. $350
- W214. "Canal and Factory." c.1911. 9 1/2 x 12 1/2. Signed in pencil by the artist. $275
- W283. "Old Fairmount Water Works and Basin." 1912. 16 7/8 x 22. Signed in pencil. $1,400
- W286. "Table and Chair, Signers' Room, Independence Hall." 1912. 23 x 17. $700
- W292. "Liberty Bell." 1912. 23 x 17. $700
- W301. "The Hall, Cliveden." 1912. Ed:25 16 3/4 x 21 3/4. OUT ON APPROVAL
- W302. "Hallway at Dr. Wister's." 1912. Ed:25 16 3/4 x 21 3/4. $600
- W303. "Chew's House." [Drawing Room at Cliveden] 1912. Ed:25 16 3/4 x 21 3/4. OUT ON APPROVAL
- W512. [Ready to Start]. 1918. 15 x 20. Signed in image. Several old tears in margins and into image. Print is mounted to an old board but stable. Title trimmed to remarque under the image; narrow margins top and sides. Fine condition. $325
- W618. "Yard of the General Electric Works, Berlin." 1921. 14 3/4 x 21. $450
Poster:
- "The Court of Honor, South Broad St. Philadelphia." 1919. 32 x 22 (sheet). Lithograph published by Ketterlinus. War poster designed for the Victory Loan Campaign. Paper slightly rough at margins, with some light staining, not affecting image. Not in Wuerth. $400
Etching reproduced in Talio Chrome:
- Joseph Pennell. "Delphine's New Orleans." Signed "Jo. Pennell. Etching reproduced in Talio-Crome. 5 5/7 x 8 3/4 (platemarks) plus full margins. Dated 1882 by Wuerth, 48. Titles it "Madame Delphines, N. O." Catalogue of the Pennell Memorial, p. 24. $150
Books for sale about Joseph Pennell:
- Joseph Pennell. Pennell's New York Etchings. 90 Prints by Joseph Pennell. From the Picker Art Gallery, Colgate University. Selection and Text by Edward Bryant, Director. New York: 1980. Paper. $7.95
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©The Philadelphia Print Shop Last updated December 14, 2021