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John Taylor ArmsBorn in Washington, D.C., Arms, studied at Princeton University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His sureness of hand and microscopic vision assured him a place as one of the foremost architectural etchers in the world.
Impressed with Gothic architecture he etched many of the cathedrals, gables, and gargoyles, throughout his travels in Europe. His total output contained approximately 444 prints with hundreds and even thousands of hours spent on some plates. The exquisite line work in his etchings was enhanced, by using sewing needles, thus defining the detail in the shadows and lighting, projected on stone and water.
His superb quality of draftsmanship caused the editor of The Print Collector's Quarterly, Fitzroy Carrington, to state, "For God's sake, John, don't you ever make a mistake, get drunk or something!"
Arms, also built a wonderful collection of graphic arts which encompassed thousands of images. He was considered the leading spokesman and advocate in the promotion of American graphic arts.
Bassham, Ben L., John Taylor Arms: American Etcher, Madison, Wisconsin, 1925.
Crafton Collection, American Etchers, Vol.5, John Taylor Arms, Philadelphia, 1930.
Fletcher, William Dolan, John Taylor Arms: A Man For All Time, New Haven, 1982.
Johnson, Una E., American Prints and Printmakers, New York, 1980, p.36.
Saville, Jennifer, John Taylor Arms: Plates of Perfect Beauty, Honolulu Academy of Arts, 1905.
Zigrosser, Carl, The Artist in America, New York, 1942, p.29.
Page Number: 4
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John Taylor Arms
American (1887-1953)
Louviers Lace
12 x 3-1/2 in.
Etching, 1936, edition 100, (final state, III/III). Fletcher 303. Signed, dated, and edition noted in pencil. Printed on wove paper with watermark, England. French Church Series no.38. One of Arm's preferred plates; awarded two prizes.
$800. |
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John Taylor Arms
American (1887-1953)
In Memoriam or North Portal of Chartres Cathedral
14-5/8 x 12 in.
Etching, 1939, edition 312, (final state, II/II). Fletcher 317. Signed and dated in pencil. Printed on laid paper with a watermark, J.Whatman. In excellent condition with full margins. Sheet Size: 19-7/8 x 15 in. Arms spent 1000 hours creating this expertly, detailed image.
Illustrated in American Prize Prints of the Twentieth Century, Albert Reese, 1949, pl.6, The Artist in America, Carl Zigrosser, 1942, after p.24, John Taylor Arms, Plates of Perfect Beauty, Jennifer Saville, 1998, Honolulu Academy of Arts, pl.16, p.77, and The Print Collector's Quarterly, vol.26, 1939, p.368.
$4000. |
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John Taylor Arms
American (1887-1953)
U.S.S. Columbia Under Construction
12-1/8 x 17-1/4 in.
Etching and drypoint, 1942, edition 667 (final state, II/II). Fletcher 390. Signed and dated in pencil. Printed on laid paper with full margins.
$600. |
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John Taylor Arms
American (1887-1953)
U.S.S. Alabama Outfitting at Norfolk Navy Yard
11-3/8 x 17-7/8 in.
Etching and aquatint, 1942, edition 872 (final state, VI/VI). Fletcher 376. Signed and dated in pencil. Printed on laid paper with large margins.
$600. |
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John Taylor Arms
American (1887-1953)
Castles in the Air
15-1/2 x 10-3/8 in.
Lithograph, 1921, edition 18. Fletcher 436. Signed and dated in pencil by Arms; signed by the printer, Bolton Brown, in pencil. Printed on antique laid paper with large margins, probably full. In good condition other than some discoloration in the outer extremities of the left margin.
$650. |
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John Taylor Arms
American (1887-1953)
St.Paul, Alpes Maritimes
7-5/8 x 11-5/8 in.
Etching, 1927, edition 259 (final state, II/II). Fletcher 201. Signed, dated, and titled in the plate, lower right; signed and titled in pencil. Commissioned by the Cleveland Print Club as their fourth publication print for subscribing members. Printed on thin Japanese laid paper with large margins, probably full. In good condition other than old hinge remnants in the upper margin.
$700. |
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