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Previously unrecorded birdseye view of Ocala, Florida, by Augustus Koch.
The present example would seem to be some sort of early photographic reproduction of hte original, which bears the Hudson Kimberly name in the bottom right corner. We believe it is a later re-issue and not associated with the original publishers, but we can find no information about the original or reproduction. As such, it must be viewed as an early facsimile of an view that apparently no longer survives.
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.
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. . . "
![[Mexico and Central America with Baja California inset, from Generalkarte von Nord America samt den Westindischen Inseln Versasst von Herrn. Pownall . . . MDCCLXXXVIII]](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/95064.jpg)
![(The First Letter From British Florida) [September 5, 1763, Autograph Letter, Signed, from Robert Campbell to John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun, describing the British taking possession of Florida and the state of the settlement of Pensacola]](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/86620.jpg)
