Thames Police aka Wapping Wharf

(After) James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903, American) “Thames Police” (1859; aka ‘Wapping Wharf’) Photogravure in black ink after the original etching plate created by Whistler in 1859 and published in 1871 as part of the Thames Set ("A Series of Sixteen Etchings of Scenes on the Thames and Other Subjects" created between 1859 and 1871). The artist signed and dated the piece in the lower right of the plate. It measures 6 x 8.75 inches, the sheet is 9.75 x 13 inches, and the work of art is surrounded by gold fillet, a linen mat, and placed in an ornate, hand-made, gold tone custom frame 17.5 x 19.5 x 2 inches with glass. CONDITION: Some pale discoloration and toning in margins, skinning upper left corner verso, otherwise in good condition. (Not examined outside the frame.) The busy dockside scene was created during Whistler’s exploration of the area bordering the Thames River, particularly around the old docks and wharves at Wapping, Rotherhithe and Lime house. 'Thames Police' is the most conspicuous sign in the etching, and the police station is the main focus of the view. It stands next to the building marked ‘Wapping Wharf’. The entire image is full of details, including steps, windows, signs, barrels, sails, piers, etc. that it is hard to believe these realistic effects were created with an etching needle.
Catalogue references for the image: K.44 (Edward Guthrie Kennedy, Royal Cortissoz; ‘The Etched Work of Whistler’ no. 44); M.43 (Howard Mansfield; ‘A Descriptive Catalogue of the Etchings and Drypoints of James Abbott McNeill Whistler’; Caxton Club, 1909, cat. no. 43).