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.

 

The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849.
Description (Brief)
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849. The image depicts "Oregon Fossils, Plate 19." The images was prepared by the lithographic firm Sarony & Major after illustrations by James Dwight Dana.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1849
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Dana, James Dwight
lithographer
Sarony & Major
printer
Sherman, C.
ID Number
1999.0145.457
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.457
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849.
Description (Brief)
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849. The image depicts "Oregon Fossils, Plate 17." The images was prepared by the lithographic firm Sarony & Major after illustrations by James Dwight Dana.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1849
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Dana, James Dwight
lithographer
Sarony & Major
printer
Sherman, C.
ID Number
1999.0145.455
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.455
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849.
Description (Brief)
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849. The image depicts "Australian Fossils, Plate 12." The images was prepared by the lithographic firm Sarony & Major after illustrations by James Dwight Dana.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1849
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Dana, James Dwight
lithographer
Sarony & Major
printer
Sherman, C.
ID Number
1999.0145.450
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.450
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849.
Description (Brief)
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849. The image depicts "South American Fossils, Plate 15." The images was prepared by the lithographic firm Sarony & Major after illustrations by James Dwight Dana.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1849
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Dana, James Dwight
lithographer
Sarony & Major
printer
Sherman, C.
ID Number
1999.0145.453
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.453
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849.
Description (Brief)
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849. The image depicts "Australian Fossils, Plate 3." The images was prepared by the lithographic firm Sarony & Major after illustrations by James Dwight Dana.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1849
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Dana, James Dwight
lithographer
Sarony & Major
printer
Sherman, C.
ID Number
1999.0145.444
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.444
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849.
Description (Brief)
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849. The image depicts "Australian Fossils, Plate 6." The images was prepared by the lithographic firm Sarony & Major after illustrations by James Dwight Dana.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1849
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Dana, James Dwight
lithographer
Sarony & Major
printer
Sherman, C.
ID Number
1999.0145.446
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.446
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849.
Description (Brief)
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849. The image depicts "Australian Fossils, Plate 2." The images was prepared by the lithographic firm Sarony & Major after illustrations by James Dwight Dana.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1849
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Dana, James Dwight
lithographer
Sarony & Major
printer
Sherman, C.
ID Number
1999.0145.443
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.443
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849.
Description (Brief)
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849. The image depicts "Australian Fossils, Plate 13." The images was prepared by the lithographic firm Sarony & Major after illustrations by James Dwight Dana.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1849
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Dana, James Dwight
lithographer
Sarony & Major
printer
Sherman, C.
ID Number
1999.0145.451
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.451
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849.
Description (Brief)
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849. The image depicts "Australian Fossils, Plate 1." The images was prepared by the lithographic firm Sarony & Major after illustrations by James Dwight Dana.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1849
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
lithographer
Sarony & Major
printer
Sherman, C.
original artist
Dana, James Dwight
ID Number
1999.0145.442
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.442
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849.
Description (Brief)
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849. The image depicts "Australian Fossils, Plate 8." The images was prepared by the lithographic firm Sarony & Major after illustrations by James Dwight Dana.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1849
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Dana, James Dwight
lithographer
Sarony & Major
printer
Sherman, C.
ID Number
1999.0145.447
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.447
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849.
Description (Brief)
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849. The image depicts "Oregon Fossils, Plate 16." The images was prepared by the lithographic firm Sarony & Major after illustrations by James Dwight Dana.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1849
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Dana, James Dwight
lithographer
Sarony & Major
printer
Sherman, C.
ID Number
1999.0145.454
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.454
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849.
Description (Brief)
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849. The image depicts "Australian Fossils, Plate 5." The images was prepared by the lithographic firm Sarony & Major after illustrations by James Dwight Dana.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1849
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Dana, James Dwight
lithographer
Sarony & Major
printer
Sherman, C.
ID Number
1999.0145.445
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.445
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849.
Description (Brief)
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849. The image depicts "Oregon Fossils, Plate 21." The images was prepared by the lithographic firm Sarony & Major after illustrations by James Dwight Dana.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1849
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
author
Dana, James Dwight
publisher
Sarony & Major
printer
Sherman, C.
ID Number
1999.0145.459
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.459
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849.
Description (Brief)
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849. The image depicts "Australian Fossils, Plate 10." The images was prepared by the lithographic firm Sarony & Major after illustrations by James Dwight Dana.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1849
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Dana, James Dwight
lithographer
Sarony & Major
printer
Sherman, C.
ID Number
1999.0145.448
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.448
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849.
Description (Brief)
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849. The image depicts "Australian Fossils, Plate 11." The images was prepared by the lithographic firm Sarony & Major after illustrations by James Dwight Dana.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1849
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Dana, James Dwight
lithographer
Sarony & Major
printer
Sherman, C.
ID Number
1999.0145.449
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.449
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849.
Description (Brief)
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849. The image depicts "Australian Fossils, Plate 14." The images was prepared by the lithographic firm Sarony & Major after illustrations by James Dwight Dana.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1849
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Dana, James Dwight
lithographer
Sarony & Major
printer
Sherman, C.
ID Number
1999.0145.452
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.452
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849.
Description (Brief)
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849. The image depicts "Oregon Fossils, Plate 18." The images was prepared by the lithographic firm Sarony & Major after illustrations by James Dwight Dana.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1849
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Dana, James Dwight
lithographer
Sarony & Major
printer
Sherman, C.
ID Number
1999.0145.456
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.456
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849.
Description (Brief)
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849. The image depicts "Australian Fossils, Plate 9." The images was prepared by the lithographic firm Sarony & Major after illustrations by James Dwight Dana.
Description
The firm of Sarony & Major of Philadelphia, working between 1846 and 1857, prepared this lithographic printing stone after a drawing by James Dwight Dana (1813–1895) depicting Australian fossils. The lithographic illustration was published as Plate 4 in U.S. Exploring Expedition publication Volume X, Geology, by James D. Dana, 1849.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1849
publisher
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Dana, James Dwight
graphic artist
Sarony & Major
printer
Sherman, Conger
ID Number
1999.0145.462
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.462
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849.
Description (Brief)
The image on this lithographic stone was prepared to print an image in the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, "Geology - Atlas," 1849. The image depicts "Australian Fossils, Plate 4." The images was prepared by the lithographic firm Sarony & Major after illustrations by James Dwight Dana.
Description
The firm of Sarony & Major of Philadelphia, working between 1846 and 1857, prepared this lithographic printing stone after a drawing by Expedition Mineralogist James Dwight Dana (1813–1895) depicting Australian fossils. The lithographic illustration was published as Plate 4 in U.S. Exploring Expedition Volume X, Geology, by James D. Dana, 1849.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1849
publisher
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Dana, James Dwight
graphic artist
Sarony & Major
printer
Sherman, Conger
ID Number
1999.0145.458
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.458

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