Printed and Manuscript Americana

Some of the Finest Engraved Views of the American Landscape in the 18th Century

London: Printed for John Bowles, Robert Sayer, Thos. Jefferys, Carington Bowles, and Henry Parker, (ca. 1768). Complete suite of six engraved views, by Peter Benazech, Paul Sandby, William Elliot, and James Peake, after Thomas Pownall and Sandby. Oblong folio. Titles printed in English and in French. Bound to style in three-quarter diced russia over marbled paper-covered boards, red morocco spine label, stamped in gilt; scattered spotting; lightly toned along edges; plates three, four, and six remargined. Sabin 81486; Deak 107

A very rare and complete suite of some of the most finely engraved views of North America in the 18th century. Includes: A View in Hudson's River of the Entrance of what is called the Topan Sea; A View of the Falls on the Passaick, or second River, in the Province of New Jersey; A View in Hudson's River of Pakepsey & the Catts-Kill Mountains, From Sopos Island in Hudson's River; A View of the Great Cohoes Falls, on the Mohawk River...; A View of Bethlem, the Great Moravian Settlement in the Province of Pennsylvania; A Design to represent the beginning and completion of an American Settlement or Farm.

Published following the conclusion of the French and Indian War, and in a period of great public interest in the American colonies, Scenographia Americana was the first book dedicated to large-scale artistic depiction of the American landscape. From the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the West Indies, the scenes include locations of battles, views of strategic provincial capitals, and newly secured areas of commercial importance. 

In 1768, the plates were published in two forms: the complete set of 28 engraved plates, or as seven separate
suites. The suites were issued as follows: six views of Canada; two views in Canada; two views of New York; two views of Boston and Charlestown, South Carolina; six views of New York and Pennsylvania (as seen here); six views of Havana; and four views in the West Indies.