Print: Baxter CL 167 - Sold separately on a stamped mount as in this example and also in Baxter’s book ‘Baxter's Gems of the Great Exhibition’ published in 1854. It represents a portion of the Belgian department and features three statutes in the centre ‘The Unhappy Child,’ by, Simonis, of Brussels, on the right is "The Lion in Love," by G. Geefs, and on the left is "The Faithful Messenger," by J. Geefs, of Antwerp.
The Daily News of May 3rd, 1852, says of this print: "It would be difficult to say too much in praise of the minute and faithful rendering of these well remembered works of art. They constitute decidedly the best of the very numerous representations of the Great Exhibition sculptures. Mr. Baxter's process for printing in colours is one of the many steps which have been taken in our days to place art effectually within the reach of the people."
On Baxter’s steel plate under the print is the text: "Gems of the Great Exhibition. No. 2 of the Series. Designed, Engraved, Printed and Published by G. Baxter, Patentee, 11 & 12, Northampton Square, April 26th, 1852 (Entered at Stationers' Hall)."
The print was produced from a plate and ten blocks, and was originally sold at 3s.
Date: 1852
Approx. size (cm ht x w): 12 x 23.6 (print) 21.7 x 33 (mount)
State: On Stamped Mount as issued by Baxter
Condition: Excellent colours, some light age spotting to mount, damage to bottom left corner of the mount, please see images