Earliest Published View of the Ruins of the Alamo
"[Lot of 2] Ruins of the Church of the Alamo, San Antonio de Bexar [and] San Antonio de Bexar", U.S. War Department
Subject: San Antonio, Texas
Period: 1850 (published)
Publication: Sen. Ex. Doc. 32, 31st Congress, 1st Session
Color: Black & White
Size:
6.8 x 4.1 inches
17.3 x 10.4 cm
These two important plates were included in a scarce report by Capt. George W. Hughes, who served as a topographical engineer under Brigadier General John E. Wool. The first plate is the first view of the Alamo to be lithographed from an eyewitness drawing and is also the earliest view to depict the Alamo in ruins (along with one other in Hughes’ report). The second plate presents an early view of this settlement along the San Antonio River at the cusp of the Mexican-American War.
The plates are based on watercolors drawn by the London-born artist Edward Everett (1818-1903). After coming to the United States in 1840, Everett served in the Mormon War and the Mexican-American War. He came to Texas as part of Wool’s division, which eventually made its headquarters in San Antonio where Everett made his drawings.
References: Howes #H-767.
Condition: B+
There is minor foxing mostly in the blank margins.
