*Printed on front black ink: "THE VANQUISHERS OF SALAMIS. PHOTOGRAVURE FROM THE ORIGINAL PAINTING BY F. CORMON AT THE PARIS EXPOSITION OF 1889. (FRENCH SCHOOL.) This great painting, which won the medal of honor of the Salon of 1887, and was Cormon's representative picture in 1889, commemorates the victory of the Greeks over the Persian fleet, B. C. 480. The battle took place in the strait between the eastern part of the island and the coast of Attica, and the position of the contending forces is still pointed out to visitors. The Grecian fleet was down in the small bay of the town of Salamis, and the Persian fleet opposite to them on the coast of Attica. The battle was witnessed by Xerxes from the attic Coast. He had erected for himslef a lofty throne on one of the projecting declivites of Mr. AEgaleon, expecting to witness a great victory.
This victory of the Greeks was the salvation of Greece, because Xerxes immediately retired, and in forty-five days recrossed the Hellespout in full retreat.
The scene of rejoicing as portrayed by Cormon is nautral and spirited. The warriors mingle with the maidens and matrons, and 'joy is unconfined.' For over two thousand years, in Greece, the victory of Salamis has been held as a day of rejoicing.
F. Cormon was bornat Paris. He won medals in 1872 and 1873, and the prize of the Salon in 1875. He was a pupil of Fromentin, and also of Cabanel."
*Printed on front black ink bottom of page: "The typogravure embellishments of this page are from two much admired paintings in the Paris Exhibition of 1889. "After the Capture of the Malakoff" (in the Crimea, 1855). The dead body of a young French officer is found in the ruins with the flag of his regiment wound round him. Georges Moreau de Tours, a pupil of Cabanel, won his first medal ten years ago, 1879, and has since been famous for his fine historical paintings. "Launching the Life Boat," by Fernau Blayn. Fernau Blayn, a pupil of Cabanel, promises to become one of the greatest marine painters of this generation."
*Printed under typogravure at top, black ink: "G. Moreau de Tours , Pinx. AFTER THE CAPTURE OF THE MALAKOFF (in the Crimea, 1855) Paris Exposition, 1889."
*Printed under typogravure at bottom, black ink: "F. Blays, Pinx. LAUNCHING THE LIFE BOAT. Paris Exposition, 1889"