Sir Edwin Landseer Biography Value Guide

This antiquarian biography, authored by art critic Frederick George Stephens shortly after the artist's death, offers a definitive look at the Victorian era's premier animal painter. As a favorite of Queen Victoria and the sculptor of the Trafalgar Square lions, Landseer's life story remains a cornerstone for collectors of 19th-century British art history.

What affects the value of Sir Edwin Landseer Biography?

• The physical condition of the leather or cloth binding and the integrity of the spine.
• The presence and clarity of all original plates and illustrations within the text.
• Provenance or previous ownership marks that link the volume to notable Victorian art collectors.
• The scarcity of the specific 1880-1881 printing compared to later, more common reprints.

How to Identify Sir Edwin Landseer Biography?

• Verify the publication date of 1880 or 1881 to ensure it is an early edition of the Stephens biography.
• Check for the presence of high-quality period illustrations or engravings depicting Landseer's famous animal subjects.
• Confirm the author is Frederick George Stephens, a noted art critic and member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.
• Examine the binding for original Victorian-era cloth or leather craftsmanship typical of United Kingdom publishing in the 1880s.

History of Sir Edwin Landseer Biography

Published shortly after the artist's death in 1873, this work by art critic Frederick George Stephens serves as both a biography and a critical assessment of Landseer's career. Landseer was a favorite of Queen Victoria and was best known for his depictions of animals and his bronze lions at the base of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square.