RARE "Wood Engraver" J. W. Orr Hand Written Letter Dated 1876 For Sale

Up for sale a RARE! "Wood Engraver" J. W. Orr Hand Written Letter Dated 1876. 

ES-7085E

John William as J. W. Orr, was a prominent American wood engraver who drew many of his own illustrations and

owned his own engraving and printing business. He

was born in Ireland on March 31, 1815, and was brought to Buffalo, New York in his infancy. In 1836, he completed

his instruction in drawing and engraving in New York City under the

distinguished William Redfield. He returned to Buffalo, where he practiced

wood-engraving and published several illustrated books, including Orr's

Pictorial Guide to Niagara Falls (1842), for which he designed and

engraved the illustrations. He went to Albany, New York in 1842 as artist and engraver for The

Country Gentleman and while there was awarded a gold medal for the

best engravings of animals. In 1844 he settled in New York City, where his

first employment was on Harper It was not long before he had his own business, a

wood-engraving and printing establishment at 75 and 77 Nassau Street, New York.

An advertisement of around 1857 states that he specialized in "illustrated

catalogues and ornamental show cards", and manufactured He died in 1887. His work includes rare

illustrations of street life in New York City.