Views of the United States

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A classic "perspective view" or "vue d'optique" from the period of the American Revolution. Many views of this type were fictional, but even those were intended to show the New World to a European audience which was hungry for images of the American colonies during this turbulent period. New York was a hub of wartime activity, so this view would have represented the understanding that many in Europe had of the far away city in the colonies. $1,250
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“Bronze Statue of Genl. Andrew Jackson.” Dedicated to Clark Mills. Lithograph with credits “On stone by B.F. Smith” and “From Dagtpe [sic-i.e. daguerreotype] by Paige.” Copyrighted by Smith & Jenkins in 1853. Printed by F. Michelin. 19 x 11 (image) plus large margins. Excellent condition.

The famous statue of Andrew Jackson reviewing his troops on the evening of the Battle of New Orleans was erected on 7 January 1853 in Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington, D.C. 8 January 1815 was the date of that battle, and the day after completion was an anniversary. Clark Mills (1810-1883) was a self taught sculptor who was recognized for his accomplishments when working in Charleston, S.C. Passing by an opportunity to study in Italy, he traveled to Richmond and Washington where he produced busts of famous men until he was commissioned to cast the huge equestrian of Jackson. The U.S. Army contributed captured British cannons from the War of 1812 to provide deeper meaning for it. Duplicate statues were soon ordered by the cities of New Orleans and Nashville.

This beautiful lithograph was based on a daguerreotype by a photographer of uncertain identity. Blanchard P. Page in New York City in the early 1860s also spelled his name Paige in a city directory, but there was also a Cirus Page in New York in the 1850s and a Charles G. Page in Washington in 1856. $1,850

A pair of lovely views of East Rock and West Rock in New Haven. The scenes were drawn by the great New England painter, George H. Durrie, best known for his work with Currier & Ives. The landscapes show impressive, accurate detail, but still exhibit the charm for which Durrie is famous, each containing vignettes of daily life in New England. $2,600

James Hamilton after daguerreotypes by J.M. Hewitt. "Ashland, The Homestead of Henry Clay near Lexington, Ky." Philadelphia: Henry Sartain & Chicago: R.R. Landon, 1863. Mezzotint by John Sartain. 15 1/2 x 27. Very good condition.

Henry Clay was one of the great Americans of the nineteenth century, perhaps the greatest figure not elected President, though he ran five times from 1824 to 1848. The was the culmination of Clay's Senatorial career was the "Compromise of 1850," a futile attempt to keep the Union from falling apart over the issue of slavery. With the debate over this topic tearing apart the country that Clay worked so hard to save, many in the 1860s looked back on the "Great Compromiser" as a figure important in the struggle to preserve the Union, especially with his roots in the border state of Kentucky. This handsome image commemorating Clay shows his stately Georgian mansion, through the trees of a magnificent lawn, Clay sits in a chair under a towering tree (with a symbolically broken branch), while in the distance a pair of cows are tended by a vested gentleman in a top hat. Besides its historic interest, this is a particularly fine example of John Sartain's exceptional engraving. $975

Andrew W. Melrose. "Lake George." [Sabbath Day Point/Roger's Slide]. Washington: A. Melrose, ca. 1885. 21 1/2 x 35 1/2. Chromolithograph by Raphael Tuck and Sons. Margins trimmed to image as issued. Vibrant colors. Very good to excellent condition. In period frame.

Andrew Melrose (1836-1901) was an artist of American landscapes. He had studios in Hoboken and Guttenburg, New Jersey during the 1870s and 1880s. He is particularly known for his paintings of views from North Carolina to New England, though he also produced images of Ireland, the Tyrols and Cornwall, England. This lovely and colorful Adirondack scene shows the area of Sabbath Day Point, near the present day town of Hague, New York. The view is looking north. In the background, on the left is Roger's Slide. In foreground, is a cabin with people unloading provisions on the shore. In the middle distance a flat bottom boat is ferrying people to another location on the lake. Melrose published a number of large chromolithographs after his paintings. Many artists tried selling these large and colorful prints to make extra money and to help establish their reputations. This is an excellent example of nineteenth century chromolithography used to reproduce American paintings. $3,200

Frederick K. Knight. "Queenston & Lewiston Suspension Bridge. (The Largest in the World!!!) Designed and Built by Edward W. Serrell Civil Engineer 1850." New York: Serrell & Perkins, 1850. 14 1/8 x 22 3/8. Tinted lithograph by Serrell & Perkins. Excellent condition. Impressions of Niagara: 219.

A very rare print of the first Queenston-Lewiston Bridge, which stood from March 20, 1851 until February 1, 1864. The bridge, the northern-most span across the Niagara River, was designed and built by Edward W. Serrell, and he published this print in conjunction with Perkins the year before the bridge opened. The span is shown running from about mid-way down the escarpment at Lewiston and Queenston. Brock's Monument is shown on the Canadian side and an observation tower can be seen in the distance on the American bluff. A paddle-wheeler ferry is depicted crossing below the bridge, documenting the only means of crossing prior to the construction of this impressive span. Details about the bridge are listed at the bottom on both sides of the title. $1,200

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