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[LONDON]Prospectus majoris via, et Ecclesia Sancta maria in Londino: La Grande Rüe, et l'Eglise Ste Marie de Londres

[LONDON]Prospectus majoris via, et Ecclesia Sancta maria in Londino: La Grande Rüe, et l'Eglise Ste Marie de Londres

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[LONDON]Prospectus majoris via, et Ecclesia Sancta maria in Londino: La Grande Rüe, et l'Eglise Ste Marie de Londres

by VUE D'OPTIQUE

  • Used
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New York, New York, United States
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About This Item

Paris: chez Daumont rue St. Martin, 1760. Engraving with original colour. Printed on watermarked laid paper. In excellent condition with the exception of some surface soiling in the upper section of the image. Image size: 8 7/8 x 15 13/16 inches. A wonderful "vue d'optique" of St. Mary's Church in London

During the eighteenth century "vues d'optique" or "perspective views" became extremely popular in England and Europe. Like other optical prints they capitalized on a connoisseur market eager for the latest novelty. English publishers such as John Bowles and Robert Sayer had great success with these optical views, which quickly developed into a collecting craze that swept through print shops on both sides of the Channel. "Vues d'optiques" were specifically designed to create the illusion of perspective when viewed with a zograscope or perspective glass. These viewing devices used a series of reflecting mirrors to enhance the illusion of depth in the print, creating a veritable "view" for the onlooker. Typically these prints depicted city or landscape views, and were horizontal in format. They had roughly the same dimensions and were sold with heavy opaque colouring, so as to show the tints when viewed through the lens. In their heyday, optical prints were a technical revolution; they could be seen in almost every fashionable drawing room, and were enjoyed by the poorer classes in print shops or at traveling fairs. For a small fee the citizens of Europe and England could travel the world without leaving their village. The "vue d'optique" was the first medium to bring the visible appearance of the wider world to a large European public. Ironically the artists and engravers who created these prints rarely had first hand knowledge of the scenes depicted, hence the views were often not as accurate as they were advertised to be. As a result of their constant handling optical prints such as these are rare, especially in good condition. They are not only beautiful images but a fascinating glimpse into the history of printmaking.

Clayton, The English Print 1688-1802, 140-141.

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Details

Seller
Donald Heald Rare Books US (US)
Seller's Inventory #
10384
Title
[LONDON]Prospectus majoris via, et Ecclesia Sancta maria in Londino: La Grande Rüe, et l'Eglise Ste Marie de Londres
Author
VUE D'OPTIQUE
Book Condition
Used
Quantity Available
1
Publisher
chez Daumont rue St. Martin
Place of Publication
Paris
Date Published
1760
Bookseller catalogs
Topographical Views;

Terms of Sale

Donald Heald Rare Books

All items are guaranteed as described. Any purchase may be returned for a full refund within 10 working days as long as it is returned in the same condition and is packed and shipped correctly.

About the Seller

Donald Heald Rare Books

Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Biblio member since 2006
New York, New York

About Donald Heald Rare Books

Donald Heald Rare Books, Prints, and Maps offers the finest examples of antiquarian books and prints in the areas of botany, ornithology, natural history, Americana and Canadiana, Native American, voyage and travel, maps and atlases, photography, and more. We are open by appointment only.
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