Blasons

1939 · 2036 — 1939. Etching on blue laid watermarked "Hand Made" paper 7 3/8 x 3/14 inches 188 x 83 mm; sheet 11 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches 292 x 209 mm full margins. Signed dated and inscribed "II" in pencil in the lower margin. From a small unknown number of second state of 3 proof impressions aside from the regular 3rd state edition of 210. Printed by David Strang. A truly superb impression with no visible defects. According to Fletcher this image is based on a drawing done by Arms on October 4 1936. <br /> <br /> Fletcher 323. Born in 1887 in Washington DC John Taylor Arms studied at Princeton University and ultimately earned a degree in architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1912. With the outbreak of W.W.I Arms served as an officer in the United States Navy and it was during this time that he turned his focus to printmaking having published his first etching in 1919. His first subjects were the Brooklyn Bridge near the Navy Yard and it was during his wartime travel that Arms created a series of extraordinarily detailed etchings based on gothic cathedrals and churches he visited in France and Italy the plate for Guardians of the Spire was created in 1921. He used what was available to him namely sewing needles and a magnifying glass to create the incredibly rich and fine detail that his etchings are known for. Upon his return to New York after the war Arms enjoyed a successful career as a graphic artist created a series of etchings of American cities and published Handbook of Print Making and Print Makers Macmillan 1934. He served as President of the Society of American Graphic Artists and in 1933 was made a full member of the National Academy of Design. Arms died in Fairfield Connecticut in 1953. unknown