Catalog Archive
Auction 137, Lot 295

"Plan de la Ville de Washington en Amerique", Klinger, Johann George

Subject: Washington, D.C.

Period: 1794 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Black & White

Size:
2.5 x 4 inches
6.4 x 10.2 cm
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This rarely seen map is bound into a small German calendar book. All streets and boulevards are shown, but unnamed. Legend at left names and locates the Capitol, President's House, La Bourse, the Arsenal, the Washington Monument, and Georgetown. The map follows Thackara & Vallance after Andrew Ellicott's plan. Phillip's reference suggests this is the first German-produced plan of the city. It is bound near the front of the fine little booklet by C.W. Ettinger, published in 1795. It contains numerous other engraved views and portraits. The first two portraits, "Louise Auguste Wilhemine Amalie, Kronprinzessin von Preussen" and "Friederike Karoline Sophie Alexandrine, Prinzessin von Preussen" are beautifully etched rather than engraved. They are finely rendered with beautiful texture from the flakes of acid-resisting 'ground' applied to the plate by the skilled etcher. The book (2.5" x 4") is bound in vellum, frontispiece, title, roughly 300 pages, map, numerous plates, and blank calendar pages by month at back. Gilt edges on all three sides.

References: Phillip's Maps and Views of Washington and District of Columbia, PW:31.

Condition: B

The map has binding trim to neatline with a portion of the trim torn into map at legend and a small repaired tear at corner of the binding trim. Also, some light soiling primarily in the blank margins. Book pages are mostly clean and tight. Covers are show some light wear with some small stains.

Estimate: $800 - $1,000

Sold for: $500

Closed on 9/14/2011

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