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Description

Fine early view of the Dubuque, Iowa, to the Northwest, drawn by Augustus Koch, one of America's most prolific birdseye view makers.

The view depicts Dubuque with the river, with boats, barges and the railroad terminal, depot and roundhouse in the foreground, with the town beyond. Early streets are named, with docks, bridges and buildings shown. At the bottom of the view, a key locating 54 points of interest is given.

Augustus Koch began his career as an itinerate birdseye view artist in California in 1870. Over the next nearly 30 years, he would criss-cross the country, creating more than 100 views of towns, large and small. His large format, highly detailed views are among the most coveted among collectors, employing a unique style which provides both physical detailed of the town and a map-like quality,

We have located only a single example of this view at the Center for Dubuque History, Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa.

Condition Description
Minor foxing and soiling. Two very small fold breaks, repaired on verso.
Augustus Koch Biography

Augustus Koch (1840-?) was one of the most prolific American engravers of Birds Eye Views working outside of the major publishing centers.  Koch initially served in the Union Army during the Civil War as a clerk and draughtsman in the Engineers Office in St. Louis. Although his English was poor, he was later commissioned as an officer and assigned to one of the Black regiments serving in Mississippi where he drew maps for the advancing Union forces.  By 1865 he is thought to have contracted malaria and at 25, was discharged from the army.

By 1868, Koch had become an itinerant Bird's Eye View engraver. His earliest dated views are of Cedar Falls, Vinton, and Waterloo, Iowa. At that point his career seemed to take off and in rapid succession, maps by Koch were produced in every section of the country. In 1870 he produced 5 maps in Utah, Wyoming and California.  In all, Koch produced over 100 views, including over 20 Texas Views, during a career of 30 years.  His last recorded view was produced in Montana in 1898. 

Reps notes that while Koch engraved fewer views than some of his contemporaries, "no American viewmaker traveled more widely in search of subjects. . . "