1891 Wood Engraving Pilatus Railway Pilatusbahn Alps Switzerland Mountain XGSB1

This is an original 1891 black and white in-text wood engraving of a car ascending the Pilatus Railway (Pilatusbahn) which is located in the Alps mountain range in Switzerland and connects the city of Alpnachstad on Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, to the summit of Mount Pilatus. It is the steepest rack railway in the world and the grade reaches 48%.

CONDITION

This 120+ year old Item is rated Very Fine +++. Light aging throughout. No creases. No natural defects. No surface rub. No tears. No water damage. Please note: There is printing on the verso. Please also note that there is a smudge in the bottom left corner margin.

• Product Type: Original In-Text Wood Engraving; Black / White
• Grade: Very Fine +++
• Dimensions: Approximately 5 x 7 inches; 13 x 18 cm
• Authentication: Serial-Numbered Certificate of Authenticity w/ Full Provenance
• Protection: Packaged in a custom archival sleeve with an acid-free black board (great for display, gift-giving, and preservation)

Period Paper is pleased to present a valuable collection of wood engravings featuring artwork by Samuel Manning and Edward Whymper, depicting various hikes and travels around the Swiss Alps. Pick edelweiss, explore the cities of Switzerland, and traverse the mountainside with this charming collection by clicking on the link provided at the end of the product condition paragraph.

Edward Whymper

Edward Whymper (1840-1911), the mountaineer, explorer, and illustrator, is remembered for being the first man to successfully ascend the Matterhorn of Switzerland in 1865. Whymper was born in London, England and was the second of eleven children. His elder brother Frederick was also an artist and explorer, and became a celebrated wood engraver, much like Edward. Both had learned to engrave in their fatherÕs studio. In 1860, Edward was commissioned to create a portfolio depicting Professor BonneyÕs ascent of Mont Pelvoux. Whymper became enthralled with mountaineering during this experience, and went on to explore Mont Blanc and the Pennine Alps for himself for the remaining duration of the 1860s.

Whymper had unsuccessfully tried climbing the Matterhorn eight times, but in 1865, met with success with his six other party members. Unfortunately, during the descent, four of the men fell to their deaths, after one of the men slipped and fell onto another.

As an engraver, Whymper was innovative, and had the patience and skills necessary to manipulate the medium and furnish unusually sharp contrast within his pieces. This is extremely difficult to do with wood engravings, and yet Whymper succeeded at it, while maintaining the original pieceÕs composition.

Keywords specific to this image: Track, Train, Railroad, Summit

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