William Cullen Bryant’s 19th century publication Picturesque America; or the Land We Live In, was the last in a long tradition of American “view” or gift books. This extremely popular workwas illustrated with 49 finely engraved steel plates of various American cities and natural wonders. Much of what Victorian Americans knew about theUnited States was gathered from the pages of Bryant’s informative and beautiful text, published by D. Appleton and Company of New York in 1872. Picturesque America allowed readers to explore the far flung corners of the expansive United States without leaving their arm chairs. This is a particularly nice view of the city from across the Potomac. The capitol building commands the viewer’s attention in the middle background.

9 1/2 x 13 inches, sheet.
Hand colored steel plate engraving.
Excellent condition.

Travel books with descriptive text and engraved illustrations were enormously popular during the 19th century.  William Henry Bartlett (1809-1854) was one of the most talented and prolific of travel artists.  He made several trips to the United States in order to gather sketches for a book about the United States and Eastern Canada to be written by N.P. Willis and published by George Virtue. This work entitled
American Scenery
, described the natural wonders, architectural monuments and city landmarks of America.
8 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches sheet.
Steel engraving with modern hand color.
Crisp impression.  Excellent condition save light overall patina.

A pretty hand colored view of the brick buildings in the center of downtown Washington as it appeared in the mid nineteenth century. The Mansion House Hotel is shown in the foreground at left, the Court House at the center of the image and the “National road to the West”  is driven by a horse drawn carriage.

Hand colored steel engraving.
6 x 9 1/2 inches, sheet.
Excellent condition save light matstaining in margin.

Travel books with descriptive text and engraved illustrations were enormously popular during the 19th century. William Henry Bartlett (1809-1854) was one of the most talented and prolific of travel artists. He made several trips to the United States in order to gather sketches for a book about the United States and Eastern Canada to be written by N.P. Willis and published by George Virtue. This work entitled American Scenery, described the natural wonders, architectural monuments and city landmarks of America.
A lovely scene with boats in the Potomac in the foreground.

8 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches sheet.
Steel engraving with modern hand color.
Crisp impression. Excellent condition.

Travel books with descriptive text and engraved illustrations were enormously popular during the 19th century. William Henry Bartlett (1809-1854) was one of the most talented and prolific of travel artists. He made several trips to the United States in order to gather sketches for a book about the United States and Eastern Canada to be written by N.P. Willis and published by George Virtue. This work entitled American Scenery, described the natural wonders, architectural monuments and city landmarks of America.
A lovely scene with boats in the Potomac in the foreground.

8 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches sheet.
Steel engraving with modern hand color.
Crisp impression. Excellent condition.