louis-orr-american-1879-1961-i-st-augustine-college-i-i-st-thomas-episcopal-church-i-i-the-halifax-house-i-three-working-proofs-with-drawn-additions
Lot 2225
Louis Orr (American, 1879-1961), St. Augustine College / St. Thomas Episcopal Church / The Halifax House (Three Working Proofs with Drawn Additions)
Lot Details & Additional Photographs
Etchings hand-embellished with pencil and wash, each a proof for Orr's series of North Carolina landmarks completed between 1939-1952, to include St. Augustine College, Raleigh, North Carolina, pencil signed, titled, and marked "Working Proof - (Trial)" lower margin, with hand-embellishments in trees; to also include St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Bath, North Carolina, with pencil embellishments in sky and foliage; to also include The Halifax House, Halifax, North Carolina, with hand embellishments on roof, chimneys, and to ground; each unframed.

The works offered here are from a special collection of trial proofs made in preparation for Orr's famous North Carolina etchings. Many have extensive drawing and notations by Orr.

Platemarks 10 x 8 in. (each approximately); Sheet size 15 3/4 x 12 1/2 in. (the largest)

Louis Orr is best known for these remarkably detailed and highly collectible etchings that illustrate historic landmarks throughout North Carolina. Born in Connecticut and spending much of his formative years in Paris, people fervently began collecting Orr’s work in both countries in the early 20th century. Orr was the first American artist to have work in the permanent collection of the Louvre Museum, and his were also the first etchings to ever join the Louvre’s collection.

Robert Humber, the prominent arts advocate from North Carolina, later commissioned Orr to complete this special series of NC etchings to showcase the beauty of the State. The project took twelve years to complete, and Orr and Humber traveled from town to town with Orr faithfully depicting important landmarks throughout.

Overall good condition with some margin wear commensurate with printing process; one with area of skinning left margin.