ROW 1

01 Artist: Attributed to José Guadalupe Posada (unsigned) Title: REGALO DE CALAVERAS, OBSEQUIO A LAS BARBANCERAS. Date: ND, Circa 1890-1900. Medium:Type metal engravings with hand set type on paper. Inscriptions/Annotations: None noted. Paper/impression quality:Very good impression on typical yellowish non-shiny paper Image dimensions (front): 6.1" x 8.6" Sheet dimensions: 15.5" x 11.2"
Reference: Posada's Mexico, p. 270, # 189. Posada, Printmaker to the Mexican People, p. 10, # 10. Posada, Mexican Engraver, p. 127. Posada und die Mexikanische Druckgraphik 1930 bis 1960, p. 33. Posada, Mexican Engraver, p. 127, # 505. Description:An excellent sheet.The front depicts a woman flirting with a calavera water vendor, hoping for a better price.The back is a special treat as it has four smaller calavera plates, all engraved. Most are images I have never seen before but which are exceptional. While the sheet is not dated, the use of all engraved plates suggests a 1890-1900 time frame. The four images on the back are quite reminiscent of some of the TGP calavera newspaper images.

02 verso of 01

03 Artist: Attributed to José Guadalupe Posada (unsigned) Title: LA CALAVERA TOURISTA Date: ND, Circa 1890-1900. Medium:Type metal engraving with hand set type on paper.Verso blank. Inscriptions/Annotations: None noted. Paper/impression quality:Very good impression on typical greenish shiny paper Image dimensions (front): 3.4" x 5.1" (Verso blank) Sheet dimensions: 15.1" x 11.3" Reference: José Guadalupe Posada: Ilustrador de la Vida Mexicana, p. 432, # 820. La Muerte en el Impreso Mexicano, p. 70, #104. Posada's Mexico, p. 264/265, # 180. Posada, Printmaker to the Mexican People, p. 15, # 22. Posada, El Novio de la Muerte. Posada, Mexican Engraver, p. 120, # 360. Description:A nice one sided calavera sheet with the famous image of a calavera bearing a skull away.The plate in this image has been trimmed down from the original and it has been suggested that the calavera was originally bearing away a much disliked Mexican nickle.

04 Artist: Attributed to Manuel Manilla and José Guadalupe Posada Title: CALAVERA DEL DRENAJE Date: ND, Circa 1890-1900. Medium:Type metal engravings with hand set type on paper. Inscriptions/Annotations: None noted.
Paper/impression quality: Good impression on typical pink/orangish non-shiny paper Image dimensions (largest): 4.3" x 4.2" Sheet dimensions: 14.8" x 10.8" Reference: None yet found for primary image which appears to be the same as the back- side image on the "Suicido" sheet. One of the backside images is a documented Posada image.

05 verso of 04.

ROW 2

01 Artist: Manuel Manilla Title: La Calavera Taurina Date: Sheet dated 1908, although the plate is certainly earlier.
Medium:Type metal engraving and smaller images with hand set type on paper. Inscriptions/Annotations: None noted. Paper/impression quality: Fair impression on typical non-shiny paper tan paper. Image dimensions: 4.7" x 6.3" (large image) Sheet dimensions: 15.2" x 11.2" Reference: Manilla: Monografía de 598 Estampas de Manuel Manilla, Grabador mexicano, p. 34 (top) and p. 117. Description:This vivid image of a bullfighter's skull is almost certainly the work of Manuel Manilla. It reinforces the importance put on bullfighting and, being a generic image, could easily be reused. Since Manilla died around 1898, this printing, dated 1908, is certainly a later printing. Interestingly, the verso has the Posada image from En la Fiesta de Alegres Calaveras, listed above. Given that the Posada plate is a relief etching, these two plates were certainly produced years apart.Very much a 'more calaveras for your money' effort on the part of Vanegas Arroyo.

02 recto of 01

03 Artist: José Guadalupe Posada (unsigned, but attributed with strong certainty) Title: Calaverita Gomista (Verso blank) Date: ND, plate circa 1910, this printing probably slightly later. Medium: Relief etching and smaller images with hand set type on paper. Inscriptions/Annotations: None noted. Paper/impression quality: Very good impression on typical non-shiny paper with signifi- cant remaining original green color. Image dimensions: 7.3" x 4.6" (large image) Sheet dimensions: 15.1" x 11.1" Reference: J. G. Posada: Messenger of Mortality, p. 129, # 179. Posada: Mexican Engraver, p. 35, # 361. Description: Although unsigned, this image is universally attributed to Posada. Entitled Calavera Gomista here, she is often referred to as Calavera Soldadera or Calavera of the Revolution.The image depicts a female calavera, riding at the viewer at full tilt, with a revolver on her gunbelt and a lasso(?) over her head.This single sided sheet is priced at five centavos, suggesting that it may be a lifetime impression.

04 Artist: José Guadalupe Posada (signed in plate at lower left) Title:Yo soy Don Juan Tenorio y sin Quimeras (Verso blank) Date: ND, plate circa 1910, this printing could be as late as the 1920s.Medium: Relief etching and smaller images with hand set type on paper.Inscriptions/Annotations: None noted.Paper/impression quality: Very good impression on typical non-shiny paper with some remaining original light pinkish color. Image dimensions: 7.3" x 4.6" (large image) Sheet dimensions: 15.1" x 10.9" Reference: Posada's Mexico, p. 272, # 193. J. G. Posada: Messenger of Mortality, p. 135, # 188. Posada: Mexican Engraver, P. 121, # 88 Description:A depiction of the primary character from the legend of Don Juan as pre- sented in Mexican plays.This sheet differs from the one in Posada's Mexico, representing a different printing.This is a relatively common phenomenon, showing Vanegas Arroyo's reuse of Posada's plates.This sheet is printed on one side, further suggesting the possibility that this is a later printing, although the plate is clearly in very good condition.This printing is very similar in presentation to that on page 121 of Posada: Mexican Engraver.

ROW 3

01 Artist: José Guadalupe Posada Title:Calavera Zembona Date: ND, circa 1908-10 Medium: Relief etching and smaller images with hand set type on paper. Inscriptions/Annotations: None noted.
Paper/impression quality: Very good impression on typical non-shiny paper with some remaining original pinkish color. Image dimensions: 5.3" x 6.5" (large image) Sheet dimensions: 14.8" x 11.3" Reference: Posada's Mexico, p. 271, # 192. José Guadalupe Posada: Ilustrador de la Vida Mexicana, p 438, # 836 Description: One of very few calavera sheets to directly represent the Dia de los Muertos celebration. In this image we see skeletons gathered to honor the dead. A rich couple, very well dressed and drinking champagne, shares the cemetery with those who are obvi- ously poor, including two men who are drinking pulque and eating a simple meal.The use of the relief etching suggests a later date.The verso has a skull, possibly by Manilla. The sheet has the Calle de Teresaúmero 1 address for Vanegas Arroyo. At very lower right is a capital 'P', quite possibly where Posada wrote his name in the plate which was then trimmed, removing most of his name. All known printings show this plate configuration.

02 verso of 01

03

04

05 Artist: José Guadalupe Posada Title: El Purgatorio Artistico Date: ND, circa 1895-1900 Medium:Type metal engraving and smaller images with hand set type on paper. Inscriptions/Annotations: None noted.
Paper/impression quality: Good impression on typical non-shiny buff colored paper. Image dimensions: 5.6" x 11.4" (large image) Sheet dimensions: 22.7" x 14.3" Reference: In progress Description:The front of the sheet bears one of Posada's most famous images, a depiction of artists and artisans in hell, plying their trades. In the lower section are smaller vignettes with poetic descriptions of the dead worker and his trade.The verso of the sheet contin- ues with a full side of worker vignettes and descriptions.

ROW 4

01 verso of Row 3 no.05.

02.Artist: Attributed to Manuel Manilla Title: La Calavera de Don Juan Tenorio (Verso blank) Date: ND, circa 1910
Medium:Type metal engraving and smaller engravings with hand set type on paper. Inscriptions/Annotations: None noted. Paper/impression quality: Very good impression on typical gray-green shiny paper. Image dimensions: 3.7" x 5.7" (largest image) Sheet dimensions: 15.9" x 12.0" Reference: Manuel Manilla Grabador Mexicano, p. 36 & 117. La Muerte en el Impreso Mexicano, p. 50, #81. Description:A well known image previously attributed to Posada but more recently acknowledged as being the work of Manilla. The primary image shows two calavera fencers with the better dressed calavera victorious. The border, printer's ornaments and design make this a particularly successful effort.

03 Artist: José Guadalupe Posada (signed in plate at LL) Title: La Calavera del Editor Popular Antonio Vanegas Arroyo (Verso: Funebre Despedida) Date: ND, circa 1907, possibly printed later. Medium: Relief etching with smaller relief engravings with hand set type on paper. Inscriptions/Annotations: Signed "Posada - Mex." at LL in plate. Paper/impression quality: Very good impression on typical paper with original tan color. Image dimensions: 8.8" x 10.0" irr. (largest image) Sheet dimensions: 14.7" x 11.2" Reference: José Guadalupe Posada: Ilustrador de la Vida Mexicana, p 418, # 797, Posada's Mexico, p. 118 & 267, # 185. Posada, Messenger of Mortality, p. 24. La Muerte en el Impreso Mexicano, p. 68, #102. José Guadalupe Posada Aguilar: Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of his Death, p 11. Posada, Mexican Engraver, p. 132, # 312. Description: One of Posada's most famous images as well as one of his finest efforts. The depiction is of his best known publisher,AntonioVanegas Arroyo. While he worked for numerous printers, Posada was closely associated with Vanegas Arroyo for many years. The recto image depicts a standing calavera of Vanegas Arroyo surrounded with images relating to his press. Vanegas Arroyo pockets a thousand peso bill while a young hawker calavera pushes his fresh calavera sheets. The presses are visible as are the workers and images of his 'stock in trade' such as violence and corruption. It is a highly sophisticated image, rich with information. The design, with its dynamic borders is also very satisfying. While the versos of calavera sheets are often blank, this one has a beautifully designed and printed image with several small calavera engravings and another excellent design layout.

04 verso of 03

05 Artist: Attributed to Manuel Manilla Title: Panteón Antiguo - Epitarios Date: ND, circa 1895, possibly printed later Medium: Relief engraving with hand set type on paper. Inscriptions/Annotations: None noted. Paper/impression quality: Very good impression on typical paper with original blue color. Image dimensions: 5.9" x 8.6"
Sheet dimensions: Framed, sheet dimensions unavailable. Reference: Manuel Manilla Grabador Mexicano, p. 33. La Muerte en el Impreso Mexicano, p. 56, #87. Description:A well known depiction now attributed to Manuel Manilla.A grand calavera directs the newly dead to the cemetery while the text provides their epithats.

01 Artist: José Guadalupe Posada Title: Calavera Carrancista (Plate previously used with other titles) VERSO BLANK
Date: ND, Plate circa 1890-1900.This sheet circa 1915-20. Medium:Type metal engraving(large image) and relief etching(small image) with hand set type on paper. Inscriptions/Annotations: None noted. Paper/impression quality:Very good impression on typical non-shiny paper Image dimensions: 5.8" x 10.3" Sheet dimensions: 15.9" x 11.6" Reference: José Guadalupe Posada: Ilustrador de la Vida Mexicana, p 421, # 801. Posada's Mexico, p. 270, # 190. Posada, Messenger of Mortality, p. 133 # 183. La Muerte en el Impreso Mexicano, p. 81, #122. Posada, Printmaker to the Mexican People, p. 3, # 3. Posada, Mexican Engraver, title page. José Guadalupe Posada, un Artista en Blanco y Negro, unpag.. José Guadalupe Posada: Carpeta con 24 Grabados, upag.. Posada, El Novio de la Muerte. Posada und die Mexikanische Druckgraphik 1930 bis 1960, p. 34. Posada, Mexican Engraver, title page.
Description: One of Posada's most famous depictions of a calavera bicycle race. It was used originally as a depiction of a race among Mexico City's penny papers. The names of the papers, over the heads of the various calaveras, were later scraped down and the image used both as here and as a comment on the dangers posed by bicyclists. Given the focus on Carranza, this sheet would logically date to after Posada's death. It would relate to Carranza's time of power, probably circa 1915-1920. Carranza was assassinated in 1920.ROW 5

02 Artist: José Guadalupe Posada (signed in plate LR) Title: La Calavera del Siglo XX Date: ND, presumably 1899/1900 Medium: Relief engraving with four smaller relief engravings and letterpress on paper. Inscriptions/Annotations: Signed "Posada - Mex." at LR in plate.
Paper/impression quality: Very good impression on typical yellowish tan paper. Image dimensions: 4.5" x 7.2" irr. (largest image) Sheet dimensions: Framed, sheet dimensions unavailable. Reference: José Guadalupe Posada: Ilustrador de la Vida Mexicana, p 423, # 804. Posada's Mexico, p. 266, # 184. Posada, Messenger of Mortality, p. 128 # 178. Posada, El Novio de la Muerte. Description:Another of Posada's most famous images. The primary depiction is of a group of artisan calaveras working vigorously to make a living in their chosen craft.

03 Artist: José Guadalupe Posada (signed in plate LR) Title: Calaveras del Monton Date: Sheet dated 1910. Medium: Relief etching with four smaller relief engravings(?) and letterpress on paper. Inscriptions/Annotations: Signed "Posada..." at LR in plate on woman's skirt.. Paper/impression quality: Very good impression on typical blue-green paper. Image dimensions: 5.7" x 10.2" (largest image) Sheet dimensions: Framed, sheet dimensions unavailable.
Reference: José Guadalupe Posada: Ilustrador de la Vida Mexicana, p 431, # 818. Posada's Mexico, p. 268-9, # 187. Posada, Messenger of Mortality, p. 130 # 180. La Muerte en el Impreso Mexicano, p. 63, #97. Posada, Printmaker to the Mexican People, p. 8, # 8. José Guadalupe Posada: Carpeta con 24 Grabados, upag.. José Guadalupe Posada
Aguilar: Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of his Death, p 50. Posada, Mexican Engraver, p. 36, # 320.
Description: This broadside utilized the very famous bloody bandito image.This plate was also used for a broadside devoted to Pascual Orozco. It acts as a powerful precursor to the revolution. Posada boldly signs his work on the skirt of a dancing calavera.

04 Artist: José Guadalupe Posada (Possible weak signature by foot of calavera at left) Title: En la Fiesta de Alegres Calaveras. Date: ND, circa 1908-1910 Medium:Type metal engraving (large image) and other small images with hand set type on paper. Inscriptions/Annotations: In graphite at UR "$ 250.00 and on verso at LL "A1C1197-4" Paper/impression quality: Excellent impression on typical shiny paper with good color Image dimensions: Largest 4.6" x 7.1" Sheet dimensions: 15.8" x 11.6" Reference: José Guadalupe Posada: Ilustrador de la Vida Mexicana, p 424, # 805. Posada's Mexico, p. 264, # 179. Posada, Messenger of Mortality, p. 144 # 198. Description:A full sheet broadside depicting a calavera scene with calaveras apparently kidnapping women merchants while calaveras of women merchants look on. The wear in the plate (note weak printing) on the woman at top center indicates that this is a later printing of this plate after notable wear from previous use. Seven other smaller calavera images are placed around the sheet. Verso is blank.images with the text. Below the primary image is a single image resembling Porfirio Diaz.

05 Artist: Attributed to Manuel Manilla (unsigned) Title: Calavera Tapatia (A Skeleton from Guadalajara) Date: ND, circa 1885-1895. Medium: Relief engraving with seven smaller relief engravings and letterpress on paper. Inscriptions/Annotations: None noted. Paper/impression quality: Good impression on faded buff paper. Image dimensions: 8.8" x 5.5" (largest image) Sheet dimensions: Framed, sheet dimensions unavailable.
Reference: Manuel Manilla Grabador Mexicano, p 32 & 114. Posada's Mexico, p. 297, # 234. Posada, El Novio de la Muerte. Posada und die Mexikanische Druckgraphik 1930 bis 1960, p. 43. Description: An image often attributed to Posada, but current scholarship points to Manuel Manilla as the artist.The title refers to the Calavera from Guadalajara.The image shows a macho man with his tequila, posole, knife and chiquita.Tough, but destined for the same fate as all others...

ROW 06

01 Artist: Unknown, usually attributed to the "Master of the Worm Eaten Skull" Title: La Gran Calavera de Emiliano Zapata (Verso blank) Date: ND, circa 1915-20 Medium:Type metal engraving and smaller images with hand set type on paper. Inscriptions/Annotations: None noted. Paper/impression quality: Very good impression on typical shiny paper with some remaining original violet color. Image dimensions: 8.8" x 8.3" (large image) Sheet dimensions: 15.8" x 11.7" Reference: Posada's Mexico, p. 46 and 294, # 229. La Muerte en el Impreso Mexicano, p. 89, #156. Posada, Printmaker to the Mexican People, p. XI, # D. José Guadalupe Posada, un Artista en Blanco y Negro, unpag.. Posada, El Novio de la Muerte. Posada und die Mexikanische Druckgraphik 1930 bis 1960, p. 27. Description:A very famous image previously attributed to Posada. Since Posada died in 1913, when Zapata was only coming to fame, it is unlikely to be by Posada. Also, it is done as a type metal engraving while Posada in his last years relied almost entirely on relief etching. Zapata was assassinated in 1919, a likely year for this depiction which is now often attributed to the printmaker known as the "Master of the Worm Eaten Skull".

02 Artist: José Guadalupe Posada (signed "Posada" at LL) Title: Calaveras del Monton Date: ND, given the high price of 30 centavos (most are 5 centavos) it is probably a later impression,perhaps as late as the 20s. Medium: Relief etching with hand set type on paper. Inscriptions/Annotations: None noted Paper/impression quality: Excellent impression on typical shiny orange paper with good color. Image dimensions: 4.6" x 10.1" Sheet dimensions: 15.9" x 11.8" Reference: José Guadalupe Posada: Ilustrador de la Vida Mexicana, p 48, # 63. Posada's Mexico, p. 237, # 147. Posada, Messenger of Mortality, p. 134 # 185. La Muerte en el Impreso Mexicano, p. 64, #98. Posada, Printmaker to the Mexican People, p. 6, # 6. Posada's Broadsheets, p. 191. José Guadalupe Posada: Carpeta con 24 Grabados, upag.. Posada, Mexican Engraver, p. 126, # 318. Description:A full sheet broadside depicting a calavera scene with one complete calavera directing new calaveras (skulls only) to the cemetery after they have been brought there by the electric tram, which was attributed with so many accidental deaths.Verso is blank.

03 Artist: José Guadalupe Posada (signed in plate LL) Title: Calaveras En Monton... Date: Sheet dated 1906 Medium: Relief engraving with five smaller relief engravings and letterpress on paper. Inscriptions/Annotations: Signed "Posada..." at LL (under table) in plate. Paper/impression quality: Very good impression on typical blue-green paper. Image dimensions: 5.9" x 9.0" (largest image) Sheet dimensions: Framed, sheet dimensions unavailable.
Reference: José Guadalupe Posada: Ilustrador de la Vida Mexicana, p 423, # 803. Posada, Messenger of Mortality, p. 145 # 199. Posada, Printmaker to the Mexican People, p. 2, # 2. Posada, El Novio de la Muerte. José Guadalupe Posada and El Taller de Gráfica Popular: Mexican Prints, # 2. José Guadalupe Posada Aguilar: Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of his Death, p 53. Posada, Mexican Engraver, p. 133, # 99. Description:A vivid and animated depiction of hawkers at a dia de los muertos market with a group of four smaller images with the text. Below the primary image is a single image resembling Porfirio Diaz.

04 Artist: Attributed to José Guadalupe Posada (unsigned) (as per José Guadalupe Posada: Ilustrador de la Vida Mexicana) Title: Las Calaveritas Picosas Date: Uncertain, engravings circa 1900, sheet circa 1900-1910 Medium:Type metal engravings with hand set type on paper. Inscriptions/Annotations: None noted. Paper/impression quality: Excellent impression on typical colored paper. Image dimensions:Two primary engravings, each about 3.1" x 2.5" with a composite dimension of 3.1" x 5.0" Sheet dimensions: Framed, sheet dimensions unavailable. Reference: José Guadalupe Posada: Ilustrador de la Vida Mexicana, p. 428-429. Jean Charlot, Posada's Dance of Death, Cover, I & III. José Guadalupe Posada Aguilar: Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of his Death, frontis, p 50 & 55. Posada und die Mexikanische Druckgraphik 1930 bis 1960, p. 41/42. Posada, Mexican Engraver, p. 15, # 96 (one of the two plates).Description: Here we have an interesting case of the reuse of images.The upper image, while appearing to be one image, is actually composed of two separate plates. One of these plates shows up on a composite sheet on page 428 of the big Posada book while the other plate shows up on a composite sheet on the facing page. Also, judging in part from remaining color and partly from the subtitle (Verdes y Color de Rosas), the sheet may have originally been in two colors, with green in the center and red to the sides. If this is the case then the red has entirely faded.A charming little sheet regardless.