$492
Habermann, Franz Xavier (1721-1796) Representation du Feu Terrible a Nouvelle Yorck. [Augsburg: au Negoce commun de l'Academie Imperiale d'Empire des Arts Libereaux, c. 1778]. Double folio hand-colored etched broadside perspective view, with the title printed in reverse, and five lines of text below explaining the disaster in German and French, matted and framed, 16 x 11 1/2 in. Vues d'optique, precursors to stereoscopic views, were designed to produce the illusion of depth when viewed through a zograscope, or optical diagonal machine. This image shows the Great Fire of New York that occurred on September 21, 1776 and destroyed about a third of the city; buildings up and down the street are engulfed in flames, British soldiers beat citizens in the streets while others carry loot out into the street.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2016-05-18