“ONE OF THE GREAT BOOKS OF AMERICAN ILLUSTRATIONS,” WITH 49 ENGRAVED FOLIO PLATES

BRYANT, William Cullen. Picturesque America; Or, The Land We Live In. New York: D. Appleton, (1872-74). Two volumes. Thick folio, original three-quarter red morocco, raised bands, elaborately gilt-decorated spines, beveled board edges, gilt-stamped cover title, watered silk endpapers, all edges gilt. $2000.

First edition in book form, illustrated with 49 full-page steel-engraved early American views, including title pages and frontispiece plate of Niagara Falls, together with numerous in-text wood engravings, in handsome publisher’s morocco-gilt bindings.

"One of the great books of American illustrations… The best landscapes engraved in this country are to be found here" (Hamilton, 216). "It exemplifies the delight of the American in his own landscape, just as the earlier topographical works do in England" (David Bland). The superbly-executed steel and wood engravings in this work, "by eminent American artists," depict cities and towns (including one of the first images of the City of Cleveland), as well as such rugged natural scenes as Yellowstone Falls, the Smoky Mountains, and Mount Hood. The text was actually written by Oliver B. Bunce, whose phraseology was edited by Bryant. First published in 48 parts. Text and plates are complete, with four plates bound out of order listed in plate lists; "Native Californians Lassoing a Bear" bound at page 201 in Volume I rather than page 201 in Volume II; "The Rocky Mountains" at page 488 in Volume I rather than 488 in Volume II; and "City of Boston" in Volume II at page 105 rather than 223. BAL 1732. Sabin 62692. Owner stamps, binder stamp.

Plates fresh and bright, only mild wear to boards. A very handsome copy.