Birds-Eye View Of Washington DC - c. 1850's - Charles Magnus

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Very detailed engraving depicting a birds-eye view of “WASHINGTON, D.C.” with original hand-coloring on heavy black stock with gold border. (Illustrated in Reps, Washington on View). (Image size: 5 x 7 3/4'' - Edge-eo-edge: 9 x 11 5/8'').

Published in New York, c. mid 1850’s by Charles Magnus - best known today for the colorful patriotic envelopes and letter sheets he issued. As one of his “most effective techniques” he also published a deluxe edition of city views, where “he printed the image on paper having wide black margins, colored the view, and enclosed it within a gold border. When framed it would have resembled an expensive glass-mounted print.” (Ref: Reps, Washington on View, pg 128).

This image is a scarce original from the deluxe edition. Capitol Hill and the Capitol Building are seen in the right background. The foreground is dominated by a dramatic rendition of the Washington Monument, with its proposed but never completed elaborate base. 

Presented in an archival 11 x 14'' mat

  • Inventory# V-2552
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