After a long and hard journey across the Atlantic Ocean, the ship, Mayflower, came in sight of land near Cape Cod, in November.  Weary of the discomforts of the crowded Mayflower, they were all eager to land; but it was obvious that they were not near there objective, the Hudson River.  It was decided that a document would be signed, so that all could agree upon their circumstances, and that John carver was chosen to act as governor for the first year.

Although they did not encounter the American Indians, there were signs of their existence, such as wigwams.  As winter was coming on, they undertook the labor of searching out a good harbor and convenient place where they might begin to lay the foundations of the colony.  Five weeks were thus spent, and it was not till December, that this band of pioneers set foot on the far-famed Plymouth Rock.  A bold hill, commanding a lookout over the bay, offered a vantage ground for their fort, which was garnished with small pieces of ordnance.  Thus the pilgrims began to establish the new settlement, which they named New Plymouth.

STEEL ENGRAVING – “THE FIRST LANDING OF THE PILGRIMS, 1620”, copyright 1867 by Johnson, Fry & Company.  This engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 4 5/8” x 7”, and is matted to 11” x 14” for easy framing.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE

Antique prints, etchings, engravings, and lithographs are printing processes, which use steel, copper, stone or wood blocks or plates to produce a picture on paper.

Most antique prints and engravings, which are seen on the internet today, are bookplates.  Because they are pages from a book, there are multiple copies in existence.  This does not, however, mean that they are "reproductions" that have been printed recently.  Because they were, at some point, part of books, some have been preserved in excellent condition, while others show signs of age, as yellow spots or darkness on the edge of the page from being handled.

Engravings, and lithographs are high quality pieces of art, as it took a highly trained artist many hours of work to produce one.  Although there may be multiple copies still in existence, the date of the item should be stated, thus giving the buyer an idea of its age.