William Hermes' Systematic Drawing-School. American Edition, nos. 332 - 333 (2 volumes)

K. & E. [Keuffel & Esser?] NY. Oblong 8vo, stapled wraps, each with 6 lithograph plates of portraits for copying. Notoriously fragile wrappers that are age toned and readily chipping around the edges. Plates printed on superior paper stock; soil and light foxing to outer plates, otherwise bright and crisp. About Very Good with usual chipping and toning, heavier soil to no. 333.

"Awarded at the International Exhibitions London, Philadelphia etc." printed on covers above stamped series numbers. Stamped series differ from numbers printed on plates--Hermes produced hundreds of the "Systematic Drawing-School" pamphlets, cheaply compiled groups of lithographs for copying. These examples show full-length figures with rendered backgrounds. No. 332 does not have alternate numbering printed on the plates; no. 333 are labeled 177.1-177.6. With an extra loose plate.

"These lithographed drawings were packaged in parts of five to seven plates and issued by several American publishers, including those that follow. All the cards are distinguished by the uniformly high-quality images of landscapes, buildings, flowers, animals, and other subjects. Little is known of Hermes himself or the path by which the beautiful lithographs that bear his name began to appear in this country. All examples of Hermes's drawing plates are scarce." (Anderson/Ellis Collection catalogue, 21)