Medium: Antique Print
Artist: Thomas Allom
Writer: William Beattie, M.D. Engraved By: Robert Wallis
From: Scotland Illustrated in a Series of Views Taken Expressly for this Work, 1838
Publisher: Virtue and Co., Limited
Size: 8 1/2 x 12 3/4
Description: Antique print; pristine steel engravings; page tipped-in color.

Photographed on a black background.

Printed five years after Andrew Jackson took the oath of office as president for the second time.

Thomas Allom (1804-1872) was an English architect, artist, and topographical illustrator. He was a founding member of what became the Royal Institute of British Architects. He designed many buildings in London, including the Church of St. Peters’ and part of the elegant Ladbroke Estate in Notting Hill. He also worked with Sir Charles Barry on numerous projects, mostly notably the Houses of Parliament.

Steel Engraving is a technique for printing illustrations based on steel, rather than copper. It is the practice of incising a design onto steel by cutting grooves into it. An impression is created on the steel plate, which is then filled with opaque ink. When paper is pressed into the plate, it creates raised and colored areas. It has been rarely used in artistic printmaking, although it was often used for reproductions in the 19th century. The most reliable way of distinguishing between unfaced copper engraving and steel or steel-faced engraving is the “lightness and delicacy of the pale lines” in the latter.

No Reserve: This lot starts at $3 and has no reserve as a courtesy so that collectors can determine the true market value on this authentic item.

Slight wear and foxing due to the age of the piece