HISTORIC BOSTON~Old State House~State Street~Original Antique Aquatint Engraving

Description

Original 180-year-old hand colored antique engraving of a busy summer evening on State Street at the center of old Boston, Massachusetts. In remarkably fine detail, the image shows the historic brick Massachusetts Old State House glowing in sunlight.
In looking for other original examples of this engraving, the words “Item no longer available,” or “Sold” seemed to accompany every one.
Engraved by S. Lacey circa 1838, while there were likely still some seasoned American revolutionaries residing in the historic city. After a painting or drawing by Wm. Henry Bartlett.
The colorful image is full of life, with four horse drawn wagons in the street, and dozens of people strolling on the sidewalks or going about their business. One wagon carries a wooden tank spraying water to keep down the dust of the apparently unpaved street, while another transports a large barrel, and still others carry passengers or cargo.
On the right is a Boston Insurance Office, housed in an ornate stone building on a street lined on both sides with other fancy three-story stone and brick buildings. Many have wisps of smoke drifting from their chimneys.
Built in 1713 while Massachusetts was a British colony, the Old State House continued as the seat of the Massachusetts General Court until 1798.
From Wikipedia: “It is one of the oldest public buildings in the United States. One of the landmarks on Boston's Freedom Trail, it is the oldest surviving public building in Boston, and now serves as a history museum operated by the Bostonian Society. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and a Boston Landmark by the Boston Landmarks Commission in 1994.”
Engraved image measures about 7 by 5 1/4” including title (18 by 13cm), on paper measuring about 10 3/4 by 8 1/2” (27 by 22cm), and attached only at the top corners to a nasty bit of lightweight board measuring 11 by 14 inches.
Ready for new matting and new or old framing.
A great gift for anyone who appreciates US history.
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Enjoy your visit, and happy shopping!