Lot 103: MILLER, LEWIS

Manuscript journal and sketchbook of his travels in Europe. Small 4to, original boards with titlepage reading "First Volume, II [sic] des Ludwig Miller's Reise Journal in Deutschland . . . von dem Jahre 1840-41 . . . . 114 pages of text in English with occasional quotations in German, illustrated with a folding map and 128 watercolors (seven folding) or pen-and- ink sketches. Covers worn, a few leaves loose, two folding sketches parted.
The American folk artist Lewis Miller (1796-1882) was born in York, Pennsylvania and from a very early age drew scenes of life in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and other parts of the United States. In 1840, he visited Europe for the only time in his life, landing in Liverpool and later touring London. Included in this manuscript is an amusing sketch of him and his traveling companions dining at a London chop house and a drawing of Queen Victoria and her entourage in St. James's Park. The bulk of the sketchbook however, is devoted to his travels in Germany; among other cities he describes and draws Gotha, Ingolstadt, Carlsruhe, Strasburg, Heidelberg, and Wurzburg. Everywhere he portrays castles, town streets, bridges, fountains, statues (including both Luther and Clavin), churches, military reviews, and daily life. As is characteristic of his work, there are vigorous portrayals of the inhabitants (in local costume) and their activities. The scenes are carefully identified and sometimes dated, with descriptions that are lively and amiable.