American Antique Weather Vanes: The Complete Illustrated Westervelt Catalog of 1883

by A. B. & W. T. Westervelt

Overview

Weather vanes were used by the ancient Greeks a hundred years before the birth of Christ; by early Scandinavians on their ships; and were common throughout England since William the Conqueror, and throughout Europe since the French Revolution. American vanes were recorded since the seventeenth century — among the first known is the copper cockerel, made in 1656 for the Dutch Reformed Church at Albany. The weather vane found a welcome home in the expanding America of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It was a jaunty bit of decoration that served an important utilitarian function and enlivened the whole landscape with its humorous and homespun motifs, bold and vigorous design, and spirited air of American individualism and independence.
By the late nineteenth century weather vane design and manufacture had reached full maturity. There were several firms throughout the United States specializing in weather vanes, some of which issued catalogs displaying their wares. Among the largest and most important of these companies was A. B. & W. T. Westervelt of New York City, whose extensive illustrated 1883 catalog, featuring over 550 copper weather vanes and finials, is herein reprinted.
This excellent primary source by one of the principal manufacturers of American weather vanes offers an extraordinarily wide range of styles and motifs, including: horse with sulky and driver, cow or bull, gun and cap, goddess of liberty, dog, ram or sheep, Indian chief, hook and ladder with number, oxen, ocean steamer, Roman banneret and scroll, rooster, cannon, fish, pen, locomotive and tender, initials, lion, liberty cap and arrows, malter's shovel and brew barrel, and many more. Vanes are illustrated with line engravings, are especially well suited to reproduction (all royalty-free), and are accompanied by relevant information on size, materials, and original prices.
Indispensable for the architect, antique collector, and historian, this collection of authentic weather vane designs will also prove to be an unusually rich source of royalty-free art and graphic inspiration for the artist, designer, and crafter.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780486163666
Publisher:	Dover Publications
Publication date:	04/10/2013
Series:	Dover Jewelry and Metalwork
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	104
File size:	12 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

Read an Excerpt

American Antique WEATHER VANES

The Complete Illustrated Westervelt Catalog of 1883

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By A.B. Westervelt, W.T. Westervelt

Dover Publications, Inc.

Copyright © 1982 Dover Publications, Inc.
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-486-16366-6

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PREFACE

In compiling this (the sixth) edition of our Illustrated Catalogue of Weather Vanes, Bannerets and Finials, we have endeavored to include appropriate designs for Churches, Public Buildings, Residences, Stables, Barns, &c, &c, thus making it the most complete work issued; we are, however, continually adding new and original designs to our stock.

Our Vanes are madeEntirely of CopperandGilded with the Finest Gold Leaf,will keep bright, will not corrode, and are perfect indicators of the wind's direction.

The letters and balls are well gilded, the spires are of wrought iron, with hardened steel spindles for the Vanes to turn upon.

Our Copper Eagles,from the largest to the smallest, forVanes or Architecturalpurposes, are full-bodied, the wings of double thickness, and are a perfect representation of theAmerican Eagle.

The Price of each Vane includes a Wrought Iron Spire with points of Compass, Gilt Letters and Balls.

Vanes of any design or size, to order on short notice and at reasonable rates.

We would caution our customers and the public against being deceived by Vanes which are now being made, (copied after our original designs) which are manufactured ofSheet Zinc and covered with a thin solution of Copper with Zinc Tubing,unlike our Vanes, which are made of Sheet Copper and Brass Tubing.

Special attention given to the erection of Lightning Rods, in connection with cur Vanes, Crestings, Finials and Terminals. All the varieties of Galvanized Iron, Copper covered and Solid Copper Rods with Fixtures, furnished on short notice, (see page 99.)

With the view of simplifying the ordering of our Vanes, please describe each design by the name, &c, given in this book; always specifying theFigure Number,size of Vane, and number of this catalogue (No. 6); also, be careful to give full and particular shipping directions.

Experienced persons will be sent to receive instructions, to give practical information and take orders.

It will be our endeavor to ship all goods with promptness, and careful attention is given to packing.

We make our grateful acknowledgments to our customers and friends for past favors, and trust to merit their future patronage.

Respectfully

A B. & W. T. WESTERVELT.

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from American Antique WEATHER VANES by A.B. Westervelt, W.T. Westervelt. Copyright © 1982 Dover Publications, Inc.. Excerpted by permission of Dover Publications, Inc..
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