Flying the Colors ─ The Unseen Treasures of Nineteenth-Century American Marine Art

The publication of this ambitious visual survey is momentous given its scope, the dedication of its authors (both are Boston-based experts), and the elaborate presentation: the volume is 12.5x11" and printed on heavy glossy stock. Suggesting prodigious effort, paintings by 55 artists were selected from 60 private collections and 11 museums, historical societies, and private clubs. Two hundred and eighteen images are presented (full-page color plates), with additional details of a few of them. Historical, biographical, and interpretive essays support the images, which are arranged in sections on fine art, American marine art, James E. Buttersworth, Antonio Jacobsen, and international works. A bibliography is included, and an index gives access to the contents by artist, title of painting, theme, and genre. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Alan Granby and Janice Hyland, based in Hyannis, Massachusetts, are long-established experts, authors and dealers in the field of maritime art and artifacts.