Stock# 95617
Description
Rare early view of Brooklyn, New York, published by Smith, Fern & Co., based upon a painting by B.F. Smith.
The view is from the west (approximately the area of the Wall Street Pier) and shows a vibrant East River scene, teaming with sail boats a few early steam vessels, including the Empire State.
Benjamin F. Smith produced a number of fantastic early paintings of New York City and environs in the middle of the 19th Century, a number of which were later engraved as birdseye views. This particular view is notoriously rare, owing the poor quality of the paper on which it was printed. It is not listed in Deaks and very rarely appears on the market.
Condition Description
Engraving on 19th-century wove paper. Expertly restored clean tears into the image. Archivally backed on tissue.