Printing Matrices for "Narrative of the U.S. Exploring Expedition"

In 1836 the U.S. Congress authorized President Andrew Jackson "to send out a surveying and exploring expedition to the Pacific Ocean and South Seas." The U.S. Exploring Expedition's Narrative . . . (Vols. I-V) was written to follow the path of the three-year and ten-month expedition (1838–1842), which traveled from Norfolk, Virginia, east to the islands off the coast of Portugal, around the tip of South America to Antarctica, and then up the west coast of South America. During the rest of the expedition, either Lieutenant Charles Wilkes, the commander, or parts of his squadron traveled to Australia and New Zealand, the South Pacific islands, the Philippines, Singapore, Hawaii, and North America's West Coast. Expedition members included scientists and artists who illustrated the people encountered, the narrative scenery, the cartographic studies, and the specimens collected.

The five Narrative volumes were published in 1844. Of the accompanying scientific volumes VI–XXIV, fourteen were published between 1844 and 1874. The remaining five were never officially distributed.

The printing matrices—either engraved plates and blocks or lithographic stones—used to print the Narrative of the U.S. Exploring Expedition and its accompanying volumes are housed in the Graphic Arts Collection of the National Museum of American History. This collection includes 309 engraved wood blocks, 133 engraved copper and steel-faced plates, with an additional presentation card plate, and 19 lithographic stones.

 

This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Temple of Kaili, Island of Hawaii" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 4, following page 100, in the edition Phil
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Temple of Kaili, Island of Hawaii" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 4, following page 100, in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and Blanchard, 1845. The engraving was produced by F. Humphreys after a sketch by Titian Ramsey Peale.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1838-1842
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Peale, Titian Ramsay
graphic artist
Humphreys, F.
printer
Sherman, C.
Maker
Lea & Blanchard
ID Number
1999.0145.371
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.371
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Lagenorhynehus lateralis, Delphinus borealis" (now Stenella coeruleoalba - striped dophin and lissodelphis - northern right whale) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839,
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Lagenorhynehus lateralis, Delphinus borealis" (now Stenella coeruleoalba - striped dophin and lissodelphis - northern right whale) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalogy and Ornithology, Atlas, Plate 7, in the edition Philadelphia : J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1858. The engraving was produced by W. H. Dougal after T. R. Peale.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1858
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Peale, Titian Ramsay
graphic artist
Dougal, W. H.
printer
Sherman, C.
author
Cassin, John
ID Number
1999.0145.404
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.404
This engraved wood block was used to print an image in the publication "Narrative of the U.S. Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 1 (page 110 of the Lea & Blanchard 1845 stereotyped copy). The image was drawn by T. R. Peale.
Description (Brief)
This engraved wood block was used to print an image in the publication "Narrative of the U.S. Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 1 (page 110 of the Lea & Blanchard 1845 stereotyped copy). The image was drawn by T. R. Peale. It was engraved by R. H. Pease, and originally printed by C. Sherman of Philadelphia in 1844.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1844
date made
ca 1844
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
stereotyper
Fagan, J.
publisher
Lea & Blanchard
printer
Sherman, C.
author
Wilkes, Charles
graphic artist
Pease, Richard H.
original artist
Peale, Titian Ramsay
ID Number
1999.0145.054
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.054
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Carpophaga latrans" (now Ducula latrans - Peale's Imperial Pigeon) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalogy and Ornithology, plate 2
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Carpophaga latrans" (now Ducula latrans - Peale's Imperial Pigeon) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalogy and Ornithology, plate 26, in the edition Philadelphia : J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1858. The engraving was produced by W. H. Dougal after T. R. Peale.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1858
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Peale, Titian Ramsay
graphic artist
Dougal, W. H.
printer
Sherman, C.
author
Cassin, John
ID Number
1999.0145.409
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.409
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Pleiodus strigirostris" (now Didunculus strigirostris - Tooth-billed Pigeon or Samoan Pigeon) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalo
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Pleiodus strigirostris" (now Didunculus strigirostris - Tooth-billed Pigeon or Samoan Pigeon) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalogy and Ornithology, plate 34, in the edition Philadelphia : J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1858. The engraving was produced by W. H. Dougal after T. R. Peale.
Description
William H. Dougal (1822–1895) of New York and Washington, D.C., (after 1844) engraved this copper printing plate after a drawing by Expedition Naturalist Titian Ramsey Peale. The image depicts the Pleiodus strigirostris (now Didunculus strigirostris, Tooth billed pigeon or Samoan Pigeon). The engraved illustration was published as Plate 34 in Volume VIII, Mammalogy and Ornithology, by John Cassin, 1858.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1858
publisher
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Peale, Titian Ramsay
graphic artist
Dougal, William H.
printer
Sherman, Conger
author
Cassin, John
ID Number
1999.0145.414
catalog number
1999.0145.414
accession number
1999.0145
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Carpophaga Wilkesii" (now Ducula aurorae - Polynesian imperial pigeon) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalogy and Ornithology, pla
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Carpophaga Wilkesii" (now Ducula aurorae - Polynesian imperial pigeon) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalogy and Ornithology, plate 25, in the edition Philadelphia : J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1858. The engraving was produced by Hinshelwood after T. R. Peale.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1858
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Peale, Titian Ramsay
graphic artist
Hinshelwood, Robert
printer
Sherman, C.
author
Cassin, John
ID Number
1999.0145.408
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.408
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Ptilononpus purpuratus" (now Grey Green Fruit Dove, Ptilonopus purpuratus (Society Islands)) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalog
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Ptilononpus purpuratus" (now Grey Green Fruit Dove, Ptilonopus purpuratus (Society Islands)) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalogy and Ornithology, plate 30, in the edition Philadelphia : J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1858. The engraving was produced by J. Rolph after T. R. Peale.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1858
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Peale, Titian Ramsay
graphic artist
Rolph, J.
printer
Sherman, C.
author
Cassin, John
ID Number
1999.0145.412
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.412
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Carpophaga bicolor" (now Ducula bicolor - Pied Imperial Pigeon) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalogy and Ornithology, plate 28,
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Carpophaga bicolor" (now Ducula bicolor - Pied Imperial Pigeon) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalogy and Ornithology, plate 28, in the edition Philadelphia : J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1858. The engraving was produced by W. G. Newton after T. R. Peale.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1858
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Peale, Titian Ramsay
graphic artist
Newton, W.G.
printer
Sherman, C.
author
Cassin, John
ID Number
1999.0145.410
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.410
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Scolopax meridionalis, Zapornia umbrina" (now Galinago shicklandii - Cordilleran snipe and Porzana porzana - Spotted Crake) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840,
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Scolopax meridionalis, Zapornia umbrina" (now Galinago shicklandii - Cordilleran snipe and Porzana porzana - Spotted Crake) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalogy and Ornithology, plate 35, in the edition Philadelphia : J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1858. The engraving was produced by W. H. Dougal after W. E. Hitchcock.
Description
William H. Dougal (1822–1895) of New York and Washington, D.C. (after 1844) engraved this copper printing plate after drawings by William E. Hitchcock. The image depicts the Scolopax meridionalis (now Galinago shicklandii, or Cordilleran snipe) and Zapornia umbrina (now Porzana porzana, or Spotted Crake). The engraved illustration was published as Plate 35 in Volume VIII, Mammalogy and Ornithology, by John Cassin, 1858.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1858
publisher
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Hitchcock, W. E.
graphic artist
Dougal, William H.
printer
Sherman, Conger
author
Cassin, John
maker
Peale, Titian Ramsay
ID Number
1999.0145.415
catalog number
1999.0145.415
accession number
1999.0145
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Procellaria parvirostris" (now Plerechoma alba - Phoenix Petrel) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalogy and Ornithology, plate 40,
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Procellaria parvirostris" (now Plerechoma alba - Phoenix Petrel) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalogy and Ornithology, plate 40, in the edition Philadelphia : J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1858. The engraving was produced by W. H. Dougal after T. R. Peale.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1858
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Peale, Titian Ramsay
graphic artist
Dougal, W. H.
printer
Sherman, C.
author
Cassin, John
ID Number
1999.0145.420
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.420
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Accipiter rfitorques" (now Fiji Goshawk) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalogy and Ornithology, plate 2, in the edition Philadelp
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Accipiter rfitorques" (now Fiji Goshawk) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalogy and Ornithology, plate 2, in the edition Philadelphia : J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1858. The engraving was produced by Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson after T. R. Peale.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1858
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Peale, Titian Ramsay
graphic artist
Rawdon, Wright and Hatch
printer
Sherman, C.
author
Cassin, John
ID Number
1999.0145.406
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.406
This engraved wood block was used to print an image in the publication "Narrative of the U.S. Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 2, page 126. The image was drawn by T. R. Peale. It was engraved by J. J.
Description (Brief)
This engraved wood block was used to print an image in the publication "Narrative of the U.S. Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 2, page 126. The image was drawn by T. R. Peale. It was engraved by J. J. Butler, and originally printed by C. Sherman of Philadelphia in 1844.
Description
Joline J. Butler (about 1815–1846, working in New York City between 1841 and 1845) engraved this printing block after a drawing, Ohwa Tree, from the Samoan Group islands, by Expedition Naturalist Titian Ramsey Peale. The wood engraving illustration was published on page 126 of Volume II of the U.S. Exploring Expedition Narrative by Charles Wilkes, 1844.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1844
ca 1844
publisher
Wilkes, Charles
graphic artist
Butler, Joline J.
original artist
Peale, Titian Ramsay
printer
Sherman, Conger
author
Wilkes, Charles
ID Number
1999.0145.104
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.104
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "View of the Wailevu or Peale's River" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 3, page 131 in the edition Philadelphia
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "View of the Wailevu or Peale's River" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 3, page 131 in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and Blanchard, 1845. The engraving was produced by G. B. Ellis after a sketch by Titian Ramsey Peale.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1845
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Peale, Titian Ramsay
graphic artist
Ellis, G.B.
printer
Sherman, C.
Maker
Lea & Blanchard
ID Number
1999.0145.358
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.358
This engraved wood block was used to print an image in the publication "Narrative of the U.S. Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 5, page 435. The image was drawn by T.R. Peale and W.G. Armstrong on wood. It was engraved by J.J.
Description (Brief)
This engraved wood block was used to print an image in the publication "Narrative of the U.S. Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 5, page 435. The image was drawn by T.R. Peale and W.G. Armstrong on wood. It was engraved by J.J. Butler, and originally printed by C. Sherman of Philadelphia in 1844.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1844
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
graphic artist
Butler, J. J.
original artist
Peale, Titian Ramsay
Armstrong, G.
stereotyper
Fagan, J.
publisher
Lea & Blanchard
printer
Sherman, C.
author
Wilkes, Charles
maker
Armstrong, W.G.
ID Number
1999.0145.231
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.231
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Procellaria rostrata" (now Pterodroma rostrata - Tahiti Petrel) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalogy and Ornithology, plate 41,
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Procellaria rostrata" (now Pterodroma rostrata - Tahiti Petrel) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalogy and Ornithology, plate 41, in the edition Philadelphia : J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1858. The engraving was produced by Sherman and Smith after T. R. Peale.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1858
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Peale, Titian Ramsay
graphic artist
Sherman and Smith
printer
Sherman, C.
author
Cassin, John
ID Number
1999.0145.421
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.421
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Ptilonopus Perousei" (now Many-colored Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus perousii Peale (S.
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Ptilonopus Perousei" (now Many-colored Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus perousii Peale (S. polynesia)) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalogy and Ornithology, plate 33, in the edition Philadelphia : J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1858. The engraving was produced by Robert Hinshelwood after T. R. Peale.
Description
Robert Hinshelwood (1812–after 1875) of New York City engraved this copper printing plate after a drawing by Expedition Naturalist Titian Ramsey Peale. The image depicts the Ptilonopus Perousei (now Many-colored Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus perousii Peale [S. polynesia]). The engraved illustration was published as Plate 33 in Volume VIII, Mammalogy and Ornithology, by John Cassin, 1858.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1858
publisher
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Peale, Titian Ramsay
graphic artist
Hinshelwood, Robert
printer
Sherman, Conger
author
Cassin, John
ID Number
1999.0145.413
catalog number
1999.0145.413
accession number
1999.0145
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Thalassidroma lineata" (now Fregetta tropica - Balck-billed Storm Petrel) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalogy and Ornithology,
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Thalassidroma lineata" (now Fregetta tropica - Balck-billed Storm Petrel) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalogy and Ornithology, plate 39, in the edition Philadelphia : J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1858. The engraving was produced by W. H. Dougal after T. R. Peale.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1858
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Peale, Titian Ramsay
graphic artist
Dougal, W. H.
printer
Sherman, C.
author
Cassin, John
ID Number
1999.0145.419
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.419
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Procellaria nivea" (now Pagodroma nivea - Snow Petrel) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalogy and Ornithology, plate 42, in the ed
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Procellaria nivea" (now Pagodroma nivea - Snow Petrel) for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 8, Mammalogy and Ornithology, plate 42, in the edition Philadelphia : J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1858. The engraving was produced by Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and Edson after T. R. Peale.
Description
The firm of Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and Edson (1830s–1850s) of New York City prepared this copper printing plate after a drawing by Expedition Naturalist Titian Ramsey Peale. It depicts the Procellaria nivea (now Pagodroma nivea or Snow Petrel). The engraved illustration was published as Plate 42 in Volume VIII, Mammalogy and Ornithology, by John Cassin, 1858.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1858
publisher
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Peale, Titian Ramsay
graphic artist
Rawdon, Wright, Hatch and Edson
printer
Sherman, Conger
author
Cassin, John
maker
Peale, Titian Ramsay
ID Number
1999.0145.422
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.422

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