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ID #SA1174719
FOR SALE
£300
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Framed Antique Aquatint South Sea Whale Fishery 19th C After W J Huggins
M Cross Antiques
for sale €351     $381
£300
M Cross Antiques

M Cross Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2025
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Framed Antique Aquatint South Sea Whale Fishery 19th C After W J Huggins

19th century
For Sale by M Cross Antiques
Description

A wonderful 19th-century hand-coloured aquatint and etching depicting a South Sea whale fishery after the original painting by W J Huggins and engraving by T. Sutherland.

Inscribed at the bottom of the image 'A representation of the Ships "Amelia Wilson" & "Castor" off the Island of Bouro, with their Boats & Crew in the various process of Fishing, showing the manner the Spermaceti Whales are caught, also the mode of cutting them into the Ship & Boiling the Oil upon Deck. This plate is most respectfully Dedicated to Ph. Skelton, Andw. Stirton, Wm. & Nichols Esqrs, Owners of the said Ships by their most obedient humble Servant W.J. Huggins'.

The overall condition is excellent, with close inspection of the print showing a light crease to the right-hand side where it has previously been folded. Additionally, this piece has been freshly mounted and reframed by my local framer and the end result with the new grey/green mount has given this image a real vibrancy.

Note: Herman Melville, author of Moby-Dick (1851), judged William John Huggins to be one of very few artists able to portray a whale convincingly. Melville advised that "the only mode in which you can derive even a tolerable idea of his living contour is by going a whaling yourself; but by so doing, you run no small risk of being eternally stove and sunk by him". Huggins, after several years at sea with the East India Company, established himself in London as a "Marine Painter, Printseller & Publisher [...] Merchants & Captains Supplied on Reasonable Terms".

Physical Dimensions
Height
54cm (21.26")
Width
66cm (25.98")
Declaration

M Cross Antiques has dated this Antique Whaling Marine Print to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1174719
Dealers Internal Reference
503
Dealers Notes

Delivery within the UK mainland (excluding Devon, Cornwall, Scotland & Wales) is free of charge and will be completed by my own privately appointed courier. Please enquire with us for delivery costs if in Devon, Cornwall, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Alternatively, buyer to collect.

Description
A wonderful 19th-century hand-coloured aquatint and etching depicting a South Sea whale fishery after the original painting by W J Huggins and engraving by T. Sutherland.

Inscribed at the bottom of the image 'A representation of the Ships "Amelia Wilson" & "Castor" off the Island of Bouro, with their Boats & Crew in the various process of Fishing, showing the manner the Spermaceti Whales are caught, also the mode of cutting them into the Ship & Boiling the Oil upon Deck. This plate is most respectfully Dedicated to Ph. Skelton, Andw. Stirton, Wm. & Nichols Esqrs, Owners of the said Ships by their most obedient humble Servant W.J. Huggins'.

“
The overall condition is excellent, with close inspection of the print showing a light crease to the right-hand side where it has previously been folded.
M Cross Antiques

Additionally, this piece has been freshly mounted and reframed by my local framer and the end result with the new grey/green mount has given this image a real vibrancy.

fig 1. A framed nineteenth-century aquatint print depicting whaling ships and longboats in an oceanic scene, presented within a grey mount and black frame with gilt accents.
fig 1. Framed Antique Aquatint South Sea Whale Fishery 19th C After W J Huggins

Note: Herman Melville, author of Moby-Dick (1851), judged William John Huggins to be one of very few artists able to portray a whale convincingly. Melville advised that "the only mode in which you can derive even a tolerable idea of his living contour is by going a whaling yourself; but by so doing, you run no small risk of being eternally stove and sunk by him". Huggins, after several years at sea with the East India Company, established himself in London as a "Marine Painter, Printseller & Publisher [...] Merchants & Captains Supplied on Reasonable Terms".

Height
54cm (21.26")
Width
66cm (25.98")
Date of Manufacture

M Cross Antiques has dated this Antique Whaling Marine Print to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1174719
Dealers Internal Ref
503
M Cross Antiques
M Cross Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2025

We specialise in period furniture, decorative antiques and artwork.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the M Cross Antiques Profile Page

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A framed nineteenth-century aquatint print depicting whaling ships and longboats in an oceanic scene, presented within a grey mount and black frame with gilt accents.
1 / 10
Archive I A framed nineteenth-century aquatint print depicting whaling ships and longboats in an oceanic scene, presented within a grey mount and black frame with gilt accents.

Framed Antique Aquatint South Sea Whale Fishery 19th C After W J Huggins

Archive II A framed nineteenth-century aquatint print depicting whaling ships and longboats in an oceanic scene, presented within a grey mount and black frame with gilt accents. View II
Archive III A framed nineteenth-century aquatint print depicting whaling ships and longboats in an oceanic scene, presented within a grey mount and black frame with gilt accents. View III
Archive IV Scale Reference for A framed nineteenth-century aquatint print depicting whaling ships and longboats in an oceanic scene, presented within a grey mount and black frame with gilt accents.
Archive V A framed nineteenth-century aquatint print depicting whaling ships and longboats in an oceanic scene, presented within a grey mount and black frame with gilt accents. View V
Archive VI A framed nineteenth-century aquatint print depicting whaling ships and longboats in an oceanic scene, presented within a grey mount and black frame with gilt accents. View VI
Archive VII A framed nineteenth-century aquatint print depicting whaling ships and longboats in an oceanic scene, presented within a grey mount and black frame with gilt accents. View VII
Archive VIII A framed nineteenth-century aquatint print depicting whaling ships and longboats in an oceanic scene, presented within a grey mount and black frame with gilt accents. View VIII
Archive IX A framed nineteenth-century aquatint print depicting whaling ships and longboats in an oceanic scene, presented within a grey mount and black frame with gilt accents. View IX
Archive X A framed nineteenth-century aquatint print depicting whaling ships and longboats in an oceanic scene, presented within a grey mount and black frame with gilt accents. View X
Enlarged Archival View
M Cross Antiques

M Cross Antiques
Telephone 07919 386955
Location
Lincolnshire
United Kingdom

Visit by appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/mcross
Verified Since Oct 2025
Items For Sale 58
Items Sold 63
M Cross Antiques
M Cross Antiques
Verified Since Oct 2025
View Dealer Info
Location: Lincolnshire, United Kingdom, , Visit by appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/mcross
Verified
Oct 2025
For Sale
58
Sold
63
A framed nineteenth-century aquatint print depicting whaling ships and longboats in an oceanic scene, presented within a grey mount and black frame with gilt accents.
Framed Antique Aquatint South Sea Whale Fishery 19th C After W J Huggins
Ref: SA1174719
A framed nineteenth-century aquatint print depicting whaling ships and longboats in an oceanic scene, presented within a grey mount and black frame with gilt accents.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Detail View 8
Scale Reference
Archival Detail

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FAQs

An aquatint is an intaglio printmaking technique that uses a copper plate etched with acid through a porous resin ground to create tonal shading. During the nineteenth century, marine aquatints were frequently produced to document maritime commerce, naval vessels, and oceanic expeditions.

Period prints were typically executed on handmade rag paper using oil-based printing inks. Hand-coloured examples utilized watercolour washes applied post-printing, and were traditionally housed behind glass in wooden or gilt frames.

Authentic period aquatints exhibit a distinct plate mark indented into the paper around the image border. They also feature subtle tonal gradations characteristic of acid-etched resin, historical typography in the publication line, and aged paper showing natural oxidation or foxing.

Maritime prints serve as strong focal points when hung above sideboards, desks, or in quiet alcoves. Combining traditional framed prints with dark wood furniture, brass accents, or crisp neutral walls creates a balanced visual atmosphere.

Paper prints must be displayed away from direct sunlight and high humidity to prevent fading and mould growth. Conservation framing with acid-free mounting boards and UV-filtering glass ensures long-term preservation of the paper substrate and pigments.
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