1847 · New York, Baltimore
by WHITING, Lieutenant-Colonel Daniel Powers (1808-1892)
New York, Baltimore: G. & W. Endicott, 1847. (15 3/4 x 19 1/4 inches). 5 tinted lithographed plates (all published) by Chas. Fendrich, F.Swinton (2) and C.Parsons (2), after Whiting, printed by G. & W. Endicott. Provenance: Texas senator for Brownsville (1957-1963), Hubert Hudson
"Five of the rarest lithographs of the [Mexican] war" (Ron Tyler).
A very rare suite of Mexican War views, which according to Whiting family tradition was limited to no more than 24 sets (quoted by Goodspeed's of Boston: "The Month at Goodspeed's Book Shop" vol. XXI, nos. 2-3, Nov-Dec. 1959, p.43). Daniel Powers Whiting was born in Troy, New York, and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy, where he received formal training as a topographical artist. He was assigned to the 7th U.S. Infantry, with which he served in various garrisons before being promoted to Captain in the spring of 1845. In the Mexican War, he served with the army of General Zachary Taylor and saw action in the battles of Fort Brown, Monterey, Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo. Late in 1845, General Taylor's army was camped at Corpus Christi, Texas. In January 1846, it advanced to the United States side of the Rio Grande, remaining there until May, when it marched on the strongly fortified city of Monterey, eventually taking the city in September. It was this portion of the campaign that is portrayed in the present work by Whiting. This work is one of the primary visual records of the conflict (with the Walke and Nebel portfolios), accurately recording the area at a turning point in its history. The plates are as follows: 1. Monterey, As seen from a house-top in the main Plaza, [to the west.] October, 1846... [No. 1 of a Series.] [after the capture of the city by the U.S.Forces under Gen'l Taylor]. By Chas. Fendrich. Sheet size: 17 1/2 x 22 inches. 2. Heights of Monterey, From the Saltillo road looking towards the City, [from the West,] [Worth's Division moving into position under the guns of the enemy, after the action of "St. Jeronimo", on the morning of 21st. Septr. 1846]... [No. 2]. By F.Swinton. Sheet size: 15 1/2 x 21 5/8 inches. 3. Valley towards Saltillo, From near the base of "Palace Hill", at Monteray. [Looking to the S.West.]... [No. 3.] [with the rear guard and wagon train of the U.S. Army coming into the Castle after its capitulation]. By C.Parsons. Sheet size: 15 5/8 x 22 5/8 inches. 4. Monterey, From Independence Hill, in the rear of the Bishop's Palace. As it appeared on 23d. September, 1846. [Looking East.]... [No. 4] [with the village of Guadaloupe and Sierra Silla, or Saddle Mountain, in the distance.] By F.Swinton. Sheet size: 16 1/4 x 21 7/8 inches. 5. Birds-eye view of the Camp of the Army of Occupation, commanded by Genl. Taylor. Near Corpus Christi, Texas, [from the North] Oct. 1845. By C. Parsons. Lithograph published by E. Weber & Co., Baltimore 1847. Sheet size: 16 3/8 x 22 inches. Whiting intended the series to continue beyond the single part which appeared. However, the loss of the original drawings for the other plates aboard a steamboat that sank in the Mississippi prevented any more than the present five plates being published.
America on Stone p.175. Eberstadt 162:910. Streeter Sale 275. Tyler The Mexican War pp.24-45. (Inventory #: 41079)
"Five of the rarest lithographs of the [Mexican] war" (Ron Tyler).
A very rare suite of Mexican War views, which according to Whiting family tradition was limited to no more than 24 sets (quoted by Goodspeed's of Boston: "The Month at Goodspeed's Book Shop" vol. XXI, nos. 2-3, Nov-Dec. 1959, p.43). Daniel Powers Whiting was born in Troy, New York, and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy, where he received formal training as a topographical artist. He was assigned to the 7th U.S. Infantry, with which he served in various garrisons before being promoted to Captain in the spring of 1845. In the Mexican War, he served with the army of General Zachary Taylor and saw action in the battles of Fort Brown, Monterey, Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo. Late in 1845, General Taylor's army was camped at Corpus Christi, Texas. In January 1846, it advanced to the United States side of the Rio Grande, remaining there until May, when it marched on the strongly fortified city of Monterey, eventually taking the city in September. It was this portion of the campaign that is portrayed in the present work by Whiting. This work is one of the primary visual records of the conflict (with the Walke and Nebel portfolios), accurately recording the area at a turning point in its history. The plates are as follows: 1. Monterey, As seen from a house-top in the main Plaza, [to the west.] October, 1846... [No. 1 of a Series.] [after the capture of the city by the U.S.Forces under Gen'l Taylor]. By Chas. Fendrich. Sheet size: 17 1/2 x 22 inches. 2. Heights of Monterey, From the Saltillo road looking towards the City, [from the West,] [Worth's Division moving into position under the guns of the enemy, after the action of "St. Jeronimo", on the morning of 21st. Septr. 1846]... [No. 2]. By F.Swinton. Sheet size: 15 1/2 x 21 5/8 inches. 3. Valley towards Saltillo, From near the base of "Palace Hill", at Monteray. [Looking to the S.West.]... [No. 3.] [with the rear guard and wagon train of the U.S. Army coming into the Castle after its capitulation]. By C.Parsons. Sheet size: 15 5/8 x 22 5/8 inches. 4. Monterey, From Independence Hill, in the rear of the Bishop's Palace. As it appeared on 23d. September, 1846. [Looking East.]... [No. 4] [with the village of Guadaloupe and Sierra Silla, or Saddle Mountain, in the distance.] By F.Swinton. Sheet size: 16 1/4 x 21 7/8 inches. 5. Birds-eye view of the Camp of the Army of Occupation, commanded by Genl. Taylor. Near Corpus Christi, Texas, [from the North] Oct. 1845. By C. Parsons. Lithograph published by E. Weber & Co., Baltimore 1847. Sheet size: 16 3/8 x 22 inches. Whiting intended the series to continue beyond the single part which appeared. However, the loss of the original drawings for the other plates aboard a steamboat that sank in the Mississippi prevented any more than the present five plates being published.
America on Stone p.175. Eberstadt 162:910. Streeter Sale 275. Tyler The Mexican War pp.24-45. (Inventory #: 41079)