[left] John Sloan, “The Toymaker Sounded a Bacchic Refrain,” photogravure from drawing, v.3, p.66 in Paul de Kock (1793-1871), The Works of Charles Paul de Kock (Boston, MA: Frederick J. Quinby Co., 1902-1904). ReCAP 3261.28.2902

In 1904, William Glackens (1870-1938) was one of several artists commissioned to illustrate a set of the 19th-century French novels of Charles Paul de Kock, translated into English for the Frederick J. Quinby Company of Boston. The plan was to produce fifty volumes in a variety of editions from deluxe to less expensive. When Glackens realized the extent of the project, he contacted his friends John Sloan (1871-1951) and George Benjamin Luks (1867-1933), who were also hired by the Quinby firm.

William Glackens, “Here are Your Trousers,” photogravure from drawing, v.16, p.7 in Paul de Kock (1793-1871), The Works of Charles Paul de Kock (Boston, MA: Frederick J. Quinby Co., 1902-1904). ReCAP 3261.28.2902

Some volumes include the work of several artists, while other novels were reserved for only one. Both etchings and drawings were created and editioned under the direction of the artist before being shipped to Boston. The drawings were primarily reproduced as high-end photogravures, quite an extravagance for such a large series. Eventually the publisher fell behind on payments to the artists and finally declared bankruptcy in 1907, long before all fifty volumes were completed.

John Sloan, “In Vain Did Dupont Shout, ‘Stop! Stop!” etching, v.4, p.224 in Paul de Kock (1793-1871), The Works of Charles Paul de Kock (Boston, MA: Frederick J. Quinby Co., 1902-1904). ReCAP 3261.28.2902

John Sloan, “The Violin Mounted the Counter, The Hunting-Horn Seated Himself Upon the Loaves of Sugar, the Clarinet Upon a Keg of Glue, and the Fife Upon a Barrel of Molasses,” etching, v.4 frontispiece in Paul de Kock (1793-1871), The Works of Charles Paul de Kock (Boston, MA: Frederick J. Quinby Co., 1902-1904). ReCAP 3261.28.2902

Both Sloan and Glackens had their etchings editioned by the Peters Brothers in Philadelphia, following the bon à tirer each artist had approved. The photogravures were probably printed by the F. A. Ringler company in New York City.

“F. A. Ringler Company, at 21 and 23 Barclay Street and 26 and 28 Park Place, is called the largest printing-plate establishment in the world. …. The company’s building has over 25,000 square feet of floor space, where 175 skilled employees are engaged. Adjoining the office is the art department, where designs for all kinds of illustrations are made. Above is the electrotyping foundry, for which a whole floor, 50 x 175 feet, is used, and every conceivable invention for the perfect production of duplicate plates. . . . Above is the photoengraving department, in which the half-tone, zinc and copper etchings, and the general processes of engraving are conducted. Eight of the largest cameras, each operated by a separate artist, are required to keep up with the orders. –Kings Handbook of New York City (New York: M. King, 1893). Volume 1.

In 1910 John Quinn purchased a complete set of the etchings Sloan made for the de Kock series, paying (according to Sloan’s diary) $250. Helen Sloan noted that after Quinn’s death the artist bought back the whole collection from Quinn’s estate for $300.

George B. Luks, “Marie-Jeanne … Listened and Waited,” etching, v.22, p.82 in Paul de Kock (1793-1871), The Works of Charles Paul de Kock (Boston, MA: Frederick J. Quinby Co., 1902-1904). ReCAP 3261.28.2902

George B. Luks, “The Dear Husband … Fell Down … and Found Himself on Top of Gustave,” photogravure from drawing, v.22, p.45 in Paul de Kock (1793-1871), The Works of Charles Paul de Kock (Boston, MA: Frederick J. Quinby Co., 1902-1904). ReCAP 3261.28.2902

William Glackens, “Edmond Rose and Walked about the Room,” photogravure from drawing, v.20, p.23 in Paul de Kock (1793-1871), The Works of Charles Paul de Kock (Boston, MA: Frederick J. Quinby Co., 1902-1904). ReCAP 3261.28.2902

William Glackens, “By Jove! Everybody Was Fighting, and I Did Like the Others,” etching, v.20 frontispiece in Paul de Kock (1793-1871), The Works of Charles Paul de Kock (Boston, MA: Frederick J. Quinby Co., 1902-1904). ReCAP 3261.28.2902