(New York) Central Park. Picturesque America. New York: Appleton & Co., 1872-74. $175.00

"Scenes in Central Park"

A finely detailed wood engraving from Picturesque America, or the Land We Live In, published in New York by D. Appleton and Company between 1872 and 1874. The text was edited by the notable William Cullen Bryant but the book is best known and most highly valued for its illustrations. The illustrators usually traveled to the sites they were to depict so their engravings were accurate, if somewhat idealized. Picturesque America was a very influential work, proudly displayed on the parlor tables in the homes of the well-to-do across the country. This enormously detailed view of various sites in the park and varieties of recreation including horse drawn carriages, ice skating, rowing on the lake, strolling in the park and enjoying a concert.

12 3/4 x 10 inches, sheet.
Hand colored wood engraving.
Nice condition save repaired tear in margin at top right.
Light overall patina.