"Panorama of the Seat of War, Birds Eye View of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia", Bachmann, John

This rare first edition birds-eye view, "drawn from nature and Lith. by John Bachmann" is centered on Richmond and Fredericksburg with north oriented to the right. Reps says of Bachmann that "'No finer artist of city views worked in America than John Bachmann. Unfortunately, there is no artist about whom less is known.'" David Rumsey notes 'Bachmann did six views of the Confederate States like this one...They are very rare." The beautiful aerial view depicts the region from Portsmouth and Suffolk in the south to Baltimore in the north. Locates Richmond, Ft. Monroe, Petersburg, Fredericksburg, Harper's Ferry and more. This example shows numerous vessels, including early steamships, navigating Chesapeake and Delaware bays. With additional details of numerous towns and villages, forts, railroads, lighthouses and naval installations. The first edition was published by Bachmann himself at 115 & 117 Nassau St. It is a spectacular stone chromolithograph where at least 3 separate stones (black, blue and green) were utilized to print the image. A rare and most desirable issue.

References: Reps (VIEWS) pg. 160; Stephenson 2 304.6, 117.2; cf Rumsey #5491.

Condition: B

Fine coloring and full margins on this sheet measuring approximately 33.5" x 23.75". Some professional paper cast repairs in margins including small portion of flourishing above title supplied in facsimile. Some faint damp stained in left margin just entering image. Rebacked on heavy Japanese tissue. All restoration accomplished professionally.