antique prints, maps and watercolors

(Newport) "On the Beach" Sold

click for detailed image NewportOnTheBeach.JPG

“On the Beach.”
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 engraved plates of various American cities and natural wonders. Bryant's book was extremely popular as it described with text and finely engraved steel and wood engraved plates many of the major American cities and natural wonders of North America at the end of the 19th century. The text describes the topography, climate, and industry important to each city. Much of what Victorian Americans knew about the United States was gathered from the pages of this informative work published in 1872. Picturesque America allowed readers to explore the great United States without ever leaving their arm chairs.
Hand colored wood engraving.
Measuring 9 ½ x 12 ½ inches sheet.
Excellent condition.