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 "Town of Nukualofa, Tonga" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 3, preceding page 3, in the edition Philadelphia :
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Town of Nukualofa, Tonga" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 3, preceding page 3, in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and Blanchard, 1845. The engraving was produced by C. A. Jewett after a sketch by A. T. Agate.
Conservation treatment for this printing plate was provided through a grant from the American Historical Print Collectors Society.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1845
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Agate, A. T.
graphic artist
Jewett, C.A.
printer
Sherman, C.
Maker
Lea & Blanchard
ID Number
1999.0145.350
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.350
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "La Vinda Mountain, Peru" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 1, following page 266, in the edition Philadelphia :
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "La Vinda Mountain, Peru" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 1, following page 266, in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and Blanchard, 1845. The engraving was produced by the firm of Rawdon Wright & Hatch after a sketch by A.T. Agate.
Conservation treatment for this printing plate was provided through a grant from the American Historical Print Collectors Society.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1845
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Agate, A. T.
graphic artist
Wright, W. F.
printer
Sherman, C.
graphic artist
Rawdon
Hatch
ID Number
1999.0145.325
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.325
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Lima Gate Way" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 1, following page 234, in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and B
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Lima Gate Way" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 1, following page 234, in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and Blanchard, 1845. The engraving was produced by A. Halbert after a sketch by A.T. Agate.
Conservation treatment for this printing plate was provided through a grant from the American Historical Print Collectors Society.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1845
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Agate, A. T.
graphic artist
Halbert, A.
printer
Sherman, C.
Maker
Lea & Blanchard
ID Number
1999.0145.323
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.323
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Samoan Dance" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 2, following page 142, in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and Bl
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Samoan Dance" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 2, following page 142, in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and Blanchard, 1845. The engraving was produced by Alfred Jones after a sketch by A.T. Agate.
Conservation treatment for this printing plate was provided through a grant from the American Historical Print Collectors Society.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1845
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Agate, A. T.
printer
Sherman, C.
publisher
Lea & Blanchard
engraver
Jones, Alfred
maker
Agate, A. T.
ID Number
1999.0145.334
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.334
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Ficus or Banyon Tree, Upolu" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 5, following page 28, in the edition Philadelphi
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Ficus or Banyon Tree, Upolu" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 5, following page 28, in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and Blanchard, 1845. The engraving was produced by the firm of Rawdon, Wright and Hatch after a sketch by A. T. Agate.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1845
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Agate, A. T.
graphic artist
Rawdon, Wright and Hatch
printer
Sherman, C.
Maker
Lea & Blanchard
ID Number
1999.0145.382
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.382
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "View from the Pass to the Upper Town, Somo Somo" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 3, page 318 in the edition P
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "View from the Pass to the Upper Town, Somo Somo" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 3, page 318 in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and Blanchard, 1845. The engraving was produced by the firm of Smillie & Hinshelwood after a sketch by A. T. Agate.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1845
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Agate, A. T.
graphic artist
Smillie and Hinshelwood
printer
Sherman, C.
Maker
Lea & Blanchard
maker
Smillie and Hinshelwood
ID Number
1999.0145.366
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.366
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Muthuata Feejee" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 3, following page 239, in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Muthuata Feejee" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 3, following page 239, in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and Blanchard, 1845. The engraving was produced by the firm of Sherman and Smith after a sketch by Joseph Drayton.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1845
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Drayton, Joseph
graphic artist
Sherman and Smith
printer
Sherman, C.
Maker
Lea & Blanchard
ID Number
1999.0145.362
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.362
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print a map image of "Low Archipelago or Paumotu Group, by the U.S. Ex. Ex.
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print a map image of "Low Archipelago or Paumotu Group, by the U.S. Ex. Ex. 1839" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 1, following page 316, in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and Blanchard, 1845. The engraving was produced after the work of one or more participants of the expedition by "Smith," as recorded in the list of illustrations in the volume.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1845
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
unknown
graphic artist
Smith
printer
Sherman, C.
Maker
Lea & Blanchard
ID Number
1999.0145.326
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.326
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print the image "Crossostylis biflora" for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 15, Botany - Panerogamia - Atlas, Plate 77, in the edition Philadelphia : C.
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print the image "Crossostylis biflora" for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 15, Botany - Panerogamia - Atlas, Plate 77, in the edition Philadelphia : C. Sherman & Son, 1856. The plate images were engraved by W. H. Dougal after Issac Sprague.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1856
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Sprague, Isaac
graphic artist
Dougal, W. H.
editor
Drayton, Joseph
printer
C. Sherman and Son
author
Gray, Asa
ID Number
1999.0145.430
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.430
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Wai-lu-ku Falls, Hawaii" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 4, page 213, in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and B
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Wai-lu-ku Falls, Hawaii" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 4, page 213, in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and Blanchard, 1845. The engraving was produced by J. I. Pease after a sketch by Joseph Drayton.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1845
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Drayton, Joseph
graphic artist
Pease, J.I.
printer
Sherman, C.
Maker
Lea & Blanchard
ID Number
1999.0145.374
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.374
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Map Illustrative of the Currents and Whaling-Grounds by U.S. Ex.
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Map Illustrative of the Currents and Whaling-Grounds by U.S. Ex. Ex." for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 5, page 485, in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and Blanchard, 1845. The engraving was produced by Sherman and Smith.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1845
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
unknown
graphic artist
Sherman and Smith
publisher
Sherman, C.
Maker
Lea & Blanchard
ID Number
1999.0145.398
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.398
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Vincennes in Disappointment Bay" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 2, following page 328, in the edition Philad
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Vincennes in Disappointment Bay" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 2, following page 328, in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and Blanchard, 1845. The engraving was produced by C.A. Jewett after a sketch by Charles Wilkes.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1845
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Wilkes, Charles
graphic artist
Jewett, C. A.
printer
Sherman, C.
publisher
Lea & Blanchard
ID Number
1999.0145.342
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.342
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Map of Part of the Island of Hawaii Sandwich Islands Shewing the Craters and Eruption of May and June 1841 by the U.S. Ex. Ex.
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Map of Part of the Island of Hawaii Sandwich Islands Shewing the Craters and Eruption of May and June 1841 by the U.S. Ex. Ex. 1841" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 4, preceding page 111, in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and Blanchard, 1845. The engraving was produced by J. Duthie after Charles Wilkes.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1845
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
unknown
Wilkes, Charles
printer
Sherman, C.
Maker
Lea & Blanchard
ID Number
1999.0145.400
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.400
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 for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 24, Physics.
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 24, Physics. The image depicts a retangles with a globe and longitude and latitude lines and four tangent lines across the globe. The volume was never published.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1857
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Wilkes, Charles
graphic artist
Wilkes, Charles
printer
C. Sherman and Son
ID Number
1999.0145.441
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.441
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 printing plate was prepared to print the image "Fungi" for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842, Volume 17, 1874, Botany Cryptogamia ... of the Pacific Coast of North America.
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print the image "Fungi" for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842, Volume 17, 1874, Botany Cryptogamia ... of the Pacific Coast of North America. The plate images were engraved by B. Hinshelwood after W. S. Sullivant.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1862
date made
1874
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Dougal, W. H.
graphic artist
Dougal, W. H.
printer
Sherman, C.
author
Torrey, John
ID Number
1999.0145.434
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.434
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Tonga Gateway" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 3, page 14, in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and Blanchard, 1
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Tonga Gateway" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 3, page 14, in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and Blanchard, 1845. The engraving was produced by C. A. Jewett after a sketch by A. T. Agate.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1845
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Agate, A. T.
graphic artist
Jewett, C.A.
printer
Sherman, C.
Maker
Lea & Blanchard
ID Number
1999.0145.352
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.352
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Encampment on the Sacramento" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 5, following page 260, in the edition Philadelp
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Encampment on the Sacramento" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 5, following page 260, in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and Blanchard, 1845. The engraving was produced by J. W. Steel after a sketch by A. T. Agate.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1845
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Agate, A. T.
graphic artist
Steel, J. W.
printer
Sherman, C.
Maker
Lea & Blanchard
ID Number
1999.0145.389
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.389
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Acrostichum Grande, N.S.
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Acrostichum Grande, N.S. Wales" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 2, page 191, in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and Blanchard, 1845. The engraving was produced by J. A. Rolph after a sketch by A. T. Agate.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1845
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Agate, A. T.
graphic artist
Rolph, J. A.
printer
Sherman, C.
Maker
Lea & Blanchard
ID Number
1999.0145.337
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.337
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "A Chart Representing the Isles of the South Sea, According to the Notions of the Inhabitants of O-Tahettee and the Neighboring Isles, Chiefly Collected from the Accounts of Tupaya" for the publication "United States
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "A Chart Representing the Isles of the South Sea, According to the Notions of the Inhabitants of O-Tahettee and the Neighboring Isles, Chiefly Collected from the Accounts of Tupaya" for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 6, preceding page 123, in the edition Philadelphia : C. Sherman, 1846. The engraving was produced by Edward Yeager.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1846
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
unknown
graphic artist
Yeager, E.
printer
Sherman, C.
Maker
Lea & Blanchard
ID Number
1999.0145.402
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.402
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Emma Malietoa" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 2, following page 90, in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and Bl
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Emma Malietoa" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 2, following page 90, in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and Blanchard, 1845. The engraving was produced by F. Halpin after a sketch by A.T. Agate.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1845
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Agate, A. T.
graphic artist
Halpin, Frederick W.
printer
Sherman, C.
Maker
Lea & Blanchard
ID Number
1999.0145.331
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.331
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Chart of the Viti Group or Feejee Islands by the U.S. Ex. Ex.
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Chart of the Viti Group or Feejee Islands by the U.S. Ex. Ex. 1840" for the publication "United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," Volume 10, Geology (text), following page 336, in the edition New York : Geo. P. Putnam, 1849. The engraving was produced by Edward Yeager.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1858
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
unknown
graphic artist
Yeager, Edw.
printer
Sherman, C.
author
Dana, James Dwight
ID Number
1999.0145.423
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.423
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Amancaes Fete" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 1, page 252, in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and Blanchard,
Description (Brief)
This engraved printing plate was prepared to print an image of "Amancaes Fete" for the publication "The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842," 1844, Volume 1, page 252, in the edition Philadelphia : Lea and Blanchard, 1845. The engraving was produced by J. N. Gimbrede after a sketch by Joseph Drayton .
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1845
Associated Name
Wilkes, Charles
original artist
Drayton, Joseph
graphic artist
Gimbrede, J. N.
printer
Sherman, C.
Maker
Lea & Blanchard
ID Number
1999.0145.324
accession number
1999.0145
catalog number
1999.0145.324

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