Collection search - William Walker Alexander fonds [graphic material] / William Walker Alexander

Record information – Brief
1
William Walker Alexander fonds [graphic material] / William Walker Alexander

Hierarchical level:

Fonds

Date:

1928.

Reference:

R10934-0-7-E

Type of material:

Art

Found in:

Archives / Collections and Fonds

Item ID number:

206772

Context of this record:

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William Walker Alexander fonds
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Record information – Details

Fonds includes:

1 lower level description(s)
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Date(s):

1928.

Place of creation:

Ontario

Extent:

1 print: etching on paper; 11.0 x 6.0 cm.

Language of material:

English

Scope and content:

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The Ex-Libris was designed in 1928 for Fred H. Brigden (1871-1956) by the Toronto born artist, William Walker Alexander (1870-1948). Alexander was a celebrated expert etcher and book-plate maker and works by this artist are considered among the best of their kind in Canada. He knew Fred H. Brigden (also a talented engraver), possibly because they both attended the Mahlstick Club, although he might have known him because of other mutual interests. Around 1892 Brigden, by then a skilful engraver and artist employed part-time at his father's firm (the Toronto Engraving Company), was also an artist-woodsmen-canoeist. From about 1894 on, Brigden went on outdoor sketching trips, parallelling Alexander's experiences. A famous artist in his own right, and represented in numerous collections, he was also active in many of the same art societies and groups as William Walker Alexander. The crest of the Ontario Society of Artists appears to the lower left corner of the etching, reflecting Brigden's affiliation with the society, of which he was President 1927-1931.

Provenance:

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Alexander, William Walker, 1869-1948

Additional name(s):

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Artist: Brigden, Frederick Henry, 1871-1956

Biography/Administrative history:

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Alexander, William Walker, 1869-1948 : William Walter Alexander (1869-1948) was born in Toronto and received some early education and art training in Toronto and apprenticed as an engraver at his brother John's studio in Toronto. Next he studied variously under George A. Reid at the Art Students' League of Toronto, at the Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, and then under Thomas Eakins. After some additional study in England he returned to work at his brother's firm (the Alexander & Cable Lithographing Company) becoming a celebrated expert etcher and book-plate maker. He became an expert in the subjects of crests and armorial bearings. Among one of the first artists to sketch in Algonquin Park on canoe trips, he was also active in the Toronto Canoe Club in 1904 where he sketched with Robert Holmes. He was a member of several art clubs and societies in Toronto such as the Toronto Art Students' League (1886), the Mahlstick Club (ca. 1892), the Society of Graphic Art (1904), The Arts & Letters Club of Toronto (1908), and the Society of Canadian Painter-Etchers (1918). He knew Fred H. Brigden (also a talented engraver), possibly from the Mahlstick Club since both attended this group, although he might have known him because of other mutual interests. He exhibited his etchings and engravings at the Royal Canadian Academy annual exhibitions and at the Art Association of Montreal shows Alexander died at the age of 79, producing work almost until that time. The works by this artist are considered among the best of their kind in Canada.

Finding aid:

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On-line on MINISIS at item level. (Electronic) R10934-1 (90: Open)

Description on accession file. (Paper) R10934 - 2003 (90: Open)

Additional information:

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Custodial history:

Acquired at Levis Fine Art Auctions & Appraisals, Calgary, Alberta, October 5, 2003, lot no. 203.

Source:

Private

Related control no.:

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2003-01210-9
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Conditions of access:

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Graphic (art)

[Consultation90 Open]
Physical access with the assistance of an art archivist.

Volume [R10934]

[Consultation 90 Open]

1 Item no. assigned by LAC 1

[Consultation 90 Open]

Terms of use:

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Copyright: Expired

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