antique prints, maps and watercolors

(Florida garden) Picturesque America, published New York 1872, $65.00

click for detailed image picturesqueamericafloridagardenvlg.jpg

“A garden in Florida”

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 work was illustrated with finely engraved steel and wood plates of various North American cities and natural wonders. Much of what Victorian Americans knew about the Untied 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 great United States without leaving their arm chairs.

Hand colored wood engraving measuring 12 ½ x 9 ½ inches sheet size. Excellent condition.