Martin, W.A.K. “USS Ship Wyoming.”

After W.A.K. Martin.  “USS Ship Wyoming.”  From Portraits of the Ships of the Wooden Navy between 1846-1858. 

Ambler, PA: Henry A. Martin, 1911.  11 3/8 x 15 ¾.  Photogravure printed in color by John Andrew and Son, Boston.  Edition: 68 of 150.  Signed and dated in image by the artist.  Very good condition. 

A print from a series of fine color reproductions published in the early twentieth century of nineteenth century American warships after watercolor drawings by noted marine artist William A. K. Martin (1817-1867).  Martin was taught painting by the artist John Neagle and was a member of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.   Nothing is known about the publisher, Henry A. Martin, who is most likely a decedent of the artist. 

The Wyoming, launched in Philadelphia in 1859, was assigned to the Pacific during the Civil War.  The ship is noted for winning the first ever naval victory against Japan in the Battle of Shimonoseki.  Following the war the Wyoming served in various squadrons until 1882 when she was decommissioned and turned over to the United States Naval Academy as a training ship.