antique prints, maps and watercolors

(Shad Fishing) Illustrated London News. London, 1875. $175.00

click for detailed image shadfishersvlg.jpg

“American Sketches: Shad-Fishing on the Hudson”

This beautifully detailed view depicts a sunny spring day on the Hudson River the water bustling with the activity of sailing ships, steamships and skiffs full of shad fishermen minding their lines of nets. The earliest European travelers to this part of the country marveled at the abundance of the anadromous fish which continued to be plentiful well until recent times. It is hoped that attempts to restore the fishery will result in their resurgence. The foreground of this wood engraving created during the last quarter of the 19th century shows successful fishermen unloading baskets full of fish on to the rocky shore. The high cliffs of the New Jersey and New York banks drop precipitously to the shore with a lone picturesque cottage situated at the bottom of the long windy road leading uphill into the far distant background.

15 x 10 ½ inches.
Hand colored wood engraving.
Excellent condition.