Description: Original antique print : " The Schoolmaster's Valentine "" Academy For Boys , John Switch , Preceptor " 19th century schoolroom scene at the Academy For Boys , with map of North America on the wall, etc.At the right boys are whispering behind the back of a crying boy who is wearing a dunce cap , wiping his tears while holding a paper with the alphabet. The position of the boy's right hand ( at his backside ) suggests that he has just been on the receiving end of corporal punishment.A birch switch leans against the teacher's desk and a leather strap hangs beside it. The postman has just delivered the mail ( he stands at the open doorway ).At the left, the schoolmaster, " John Switch ," is viewing a " Valentine " which he just received ( he holds the envelope in his other hand ).The Valentine shows an image of himself, holding a birch rod switch - this is the teacher's true love ; punishing boys. -------- The artist's name appears at the lower-left corner, " E. B. Bensell " Edmund Birckhead Bensell (1842-1894) was an American artist and illustrator, usually known as E. B. Bensell. He was an accomplished painter , though is best known today for his ink drawings. Bensell was born in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , attended and graduated from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. While there, in 1860, he joined with several other students ( including his brother George ) to form the Philadelphia Sketch Club, one of America's oldest existing artists clubs. George was the club's first president, and the club first met in his studio. Edmund served as club president, from 1869 to 1871. Many of the brothers early sketches were published in its popular publication, the Sketch Club Portfolio. The Bensell brothers were abolitionists, active in the anti slavery movement, and painted banners for the Negro headquarters in Philadelphia. ------- About 5 1/4" x 7 5/8" overall.Undated, however this is from a publication printed around 1880. Condition.Trimmed margins.Worn/creased at the edges.Good condition otherwise.( see the photos ) 140+ years old. Carefully packed for shipment to the buyer.
Price: 35 USD
Location: Coventry, Rhode Island
End Time: 2025-01-13T13:50:58.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Artist: Edmund Bensell
Image Orientation: Portrait
19th century schoolroom Academy Punishing Boys: Postman Valentine Whipping Spank
Size: Small
Period: Victorian (1830-1900)
Material: Paper
Original/Licensed Reprint: Original
Framing: Unframed
Subject: Boys, Schoolboys
Type: Print
Theme: Social History, Corporal Punishment
Edmund Birckhead Bensell Philadelphia Sketch Club: Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Crying Boy Dunce Cap Corporal Punishment: Birch Rod Switch Leather Strap Belt Birching
Production Technique: Woodcut Printing
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Time Period Produced: 1850-1899
