Up for sale from Buried in Boxes is a genuinely rare piece of pre-Civil War Americana: an authentic, mid-19th-century hand-colored lithograph of "The Last Supper" by the prominent New York printmaker James S. Baillie. This is 186 years old!
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE & PROVENANCE
This print features the highly desirable "118 Nassau St. N.Y." address line, dating its production precisely to a narrow window between 1847 and 1849. James Baillie was a master independent lithographer who famously worked as a primary colorist for Nassau Street contemporary N. Currier (later Currier & Ives) before opening his own shop. Prints from this brief 118 Nassau Street era are highly prized by collectors of early American print history.
ARTWORK DETAILS
Based closely on Leonardo da Vinci’s timeless masterpiece, this specific American lithograph features the unique historical inclusion of the disciples' names printed individually beneath them in the bottom margin (including Bartholomew, Judas, Peter, John, and the central designation for the Savior). The original hand-applied watercolor detailing remains clear and retains its antique charm.
CONDITION REPORT
Print Condition: Authentic, age-appropriate character. The paper shows natural uniform toning, mottling, and foxing consistent with structural rag paper from the 1840s. Close inspection reveals some historic edge wear and a small tear/crease on the bottom-left border margin, but the central image and all-important publisher text block remain 100% intact, legible, and uncompromised.
Please inspect all high-resolution photos closely to fully evaluate the item(s) before buying.