[Calligraphy] Antonie Grevenstuk (1829-1896). "Wapenkaart der provincien, steden, eilanden

en eenige voorname vlekken en dorpen van het Koningrijk der Nederlanden; naar officeele opgaven bewerkt en in teekening gebragt door Antonie Grevenstuk, calligraaph. Amsterdam 1877". Pen and ink and gouache with abundant use of gold and silver, 53 x 87 cm, in very luxurious, sl. later (but original) ornamental gilt frame by M. van Menk "Hofleverancier Kalverstraat 21 bij den Dam, Amsterdam" (Art Nouveau ticket on verso) (in very fine condition).

A magnificent large piece by the master-calligrapher Antonie Grevenstuk, award-winning founder of the specialist Grevenstuk family firm, later including his sons Jean, Edouard and Thierry Grevenstuk. The drawing incorporates the large coat-of-arms of the Netherlands carried by two lions and 11 coat-of-arms of the provinces surrounding the title and within calligraphed border in the centre. This central field is surrounded by 252 coat-of-arms of Dutch cities and villages in alphabeticial order, starting with Aardenburg and ending with Zwolle. A frieze of scrolls composed from oak-lvs neatly borders the drawing. The luxurious frame perfectly matches its contents. The Rijksmuseum preserves a wood-engraved allegorical laudatory print on Antonie Grevenstuk, by Isaac Weissenbruch, illustrating the esteem Grevenstuk had earned with his skills.