This is a fabulous original late 19th Century lithograph from the woodcut made by the celebrated printmaker, William Nicholson.
Sir William Nicholson (1872-1949) was an English artist who was best known for his fine woodcut prints. Beginning in the 1890s, he created posters with his brother-in-law, the Scottish artist James Pryde. They used the pseudonyms J. & W. Beggarstaff. In 1897, Nicholson produced a woodcut print of Queen Victoria that was so well received that it establish his reputation with the British public
He also was famed for designed stage sets for J.M. Barrie's play: Peter Pan.
Many of his prints were originally issued in a very small run of hand-coloured woodcuts. Their popularity led to the images being transferred to lithographic stones and printed in a bound volume (such as my works listed for sale on my website). His unique style is instantly recognizable, with the broad strokes from his original woodcuts printed with subtle variations of earth tones, harking back to earlier British book illustrations.
He was knighted in 1936. His children were the celebrated artists, Ben Nicholson and Nancy Nicholson. He was also the father of the architect, Christopher "Kit" Nicholson.
This highly decorative work is a lithograph from the published series called London Types. This is a more unusual subject showing a Coster at Hammersmith. The term Coster is short for Costermonger: a street seller of fruit and vegetables. There appears to have been a hierarchy in these street sellers - costermongers often sold from a hand-cart or animal-drawn cart (as seen in the mid-distance of this print) - whilst hawkers carried their wares in a basket.
Costermongers were ubiquitous in Victorian England, but their numbers began to decline in the second half of the 20th-century when they began to take up pitches in the regulated markets.
At the beginning of the 19th century, Hammersmith (West London) was considered more of a countryside location. Farms, orchards and market gardens covered most of the area growing produce for the London market.
Although not strictly a Cries of London series - some of these street characters often appear in antique prints stretching back through the previous centuries. They chronicle street life in London in the last part of the 19th century.
The series was published in 1898 in the volume issued by Heinemann, London. The image size is 25.5 x 23 cm. Frame size is 39 x 36.5 cm
The image is printed in black ink on brown-toned paper to imitate the woodcuts and has touches of colour to enliven the image here and there. The print is in good antique condition. The photographs here make the sheet look more of a drab-green colour - rest assured that the paper is a nice buff colour.
It has recently been beautifully and professionally reframed - with a new acid-free mount and stylishly simple black frame. Totally clean and ready for you to just hang up on your wall.
A fair price for this fine artwork which is so beautifully presented. It is priced for sale as an original antique lithograph and not a later copy or modern reproduction.
They will be posted to you either with Royal Mail Special Next Day Delivery or with Parcelforce48 (capped price for Parcelforce48 will be £10 regardless of multiple orders).
Sadly, unable to post to the EU - but can discuss international postage with you.
Please also see my lovely lithographs by Nicholson (rarer ones!) showing an attractive selection of farmyard animals.