Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10

Bird’s-Eye View of Charleston, South Carolina – Panoramic City Engraving, 19th C

$262.73
£196.31
€220
CA$362.39
A$396.99
CHF 208.96
MX$4,738.18
NOK 2,663.72
SEK 2,435.04
DKK 1,676.23

About the Item

Bird’s-Eye View of Charleston, South Carolina – Panoramic City Engraving, 19th C. This impressive 19th-century engraving titled Bird’s-Eye View of Charleston presents a sweeping panoramic vision of Charleston and its surrounding waterways, seen from an elevated, imagined vantage point. The city unfolds along the riverfront, with dense blocks of buildings, church spires, and wharves extending into the harbor, while the broad river and marshlands stretch far into the distance. The composition conveys both the scale of Charleston and its intimate relationship with water, trade, and transportation. Bird’s-eye views such as this were among the most ambitious and admired forms of 19th-century city imagery. Created before the advent of aerial photography, they combined cartographic knowledge, on-the-ground observation, and artistic invention to produce authoritative visual summaries of urban growth. This Charleston view emphasizes the city’s importance as a major Southern port, with shipping lanes, bridges, and river traffic carefully integrated into the scene. The engraving is notable for its fine linear technique and tonal subtlety. Dense horizontal lines articulate water and atmosphere, while more intricate detailing defines the city’s built environment. The gradual recession into the distance creates remarkable depth, guiding the viewer’s eye from the compact urban core outward to plantations, fields, and waterways beyond. The result is both informative and visually expansive. Historically, this image documents Charleston during a period when panoramic city views functioned as statements of civic pride and progress. Such prints were often displayed in offices, libraries, and public buildings, serving as both decorative works and records of urban identity. Today, they are highly sought after for their combination of historical documentation, graphic strength, and large-scale visual impact. This engraving appeals strongly to collectors of American city views, Southern history, maritime and port imagery, and 19th-century panoramic prints. Its wide horizontal format makes it especially suitable as a statement piece in a study, library, or refined interior. Condition report Good antique condition. Light overall age toning with scattered foxing and minor surface marks, mainly in the margins. The engraved image remains clear and well-defined with good contrast. A visible plate mark is present. Minor edge wear consistent with age. Framing suggestions A dark walnut, black, or antique gilt frame with a wide off-white or light cream mat will complement the engraving’s panoramic scale. A double mat with a subtle darker inner line enhances depth and provides a museum-style presentation. Technique: Steel engraving Maker: W. Ridgway, after J. Wells, New York, mid-19th century
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 6.07 in (15.4 cm)Width: 9.85 in (25 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Paper,Engraved
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1860
  • Condition:
    Good antique condition. Light overall age toning with scattered foxing and minor surface marks, mainly in the margins. The engraved image remains clear and well-defined with good contrast.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-14129-91stDibs: LU3054347994442

More From This Seller

View All
Panoramic View of New York City – Antique Engraving, c. 1850
Located in Langweer, NL
Panoramic View of New York City – Antique Engraving, c. 1850 This antique engraving offers a panoramic view of New York City as seen from a vantage point across the river, showcasin...
Category

Antique 1850s Prints

Materials

Paper

Charleston Harbor, South Carolina – American Port View, Sailing Ships, c.1850
Located in Langweer, NL
Charleston Harbor, South Carolina – American Port View, Sailing Ships, c.1850 Description: This refined mid-19th-century engraving presents a tranquil harbor view of Charleston, Sou...
Category

Antique 1850s American Prints

Materials

Paper

City of Milwaukee, Panoramic Urban View – American City Engraving, 1872
Located in Langweer, NL
City of Milwaukee, Panoramic Urban View – American City Engraving, 1872 This refined 19th-century engraving titled *City of Milwaukee* presents a broad panoramic view of the rapidly...
Category

Antique 1870s British Prints

Materials

Paper

New Orleans Harbor, Mississippi River Shipping and Steamers – Engraving ca.1850
Located in Langweer, NL
New Orleans Harbor, Mississippi River Shipping and Steamers – Antique Engraving This finely engraved 19th-century view presents a bustling panorama of New Orleans seen from the Miss...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century British Prints

Materials

Paper

Historic View of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Overlooking the Arkansas River, 1856
Located in Langweer, NL
Historic View of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Overlooking the Arkansas River This lithograph captures a historically significant view of Fort Smith, Arkansas, along the banks of the Arka...
Category

Antique 1850s Prints

Materials

Paper

A Glimpse into the Early 19th Century Urban Landscape of New York, a 1842 Print
Located in Langweer, NL
The hand-colored print titled "New York," published in 1842, presents a detailed and picturesque view of the cityscape of New York as it appeared in the early 19th century. The title "New York" is centered below the image. Below the title, the text reads "LONDON: Published by Thomas Kelly. 17, Paternoster Row," indicating the publisher and location of publication in London. Additionally, the text "S. Davenport. Sculp." is printed beneath the image, signifying that the engraving was done by S. Davenport. Description of the Image: - **Perspective**: The image provides a broad view, likely from an elevated point, showing the expanse of the city. The perspective gives a sense of depth, with the street extending into the distance. - **Central Street**: A wide, unpaved street runs down the center of the image, flanked by rows of buildings on both sides. This street is bustling with various activities. - **Buildings**: The buildings are primarily two to three stories tall, featuring a mix of architectural styles typical of the period. Some have distinct red roofs, adding a touch of color to the scene. - **Churches**: There are several prominent churches with tall spires visible in the background, indicating the importance of religious institutions during that time. - **Foreground**: In the foreground, to the right, there is a large, columned building, which might be a significant public or religious structure. - **Activity**: The street scene includes horse-drawn carriages and pedestrians, capturing the everyday life of the city's inhabitants. - **Harbor**: In the far background, you can see masts of ships, indicating the proximity of the harbor and the importance of maritime activities to the city. Artistic and Historical Context: - **Engraving Style**: The work of S. Davenport, an engraver, suggests fine detail and precision typical of hand-colored prints of that era. - **Historical Significance**: This print serves as a valuable historical document, offering a glimpse into the urban layout and architecture of New York City in the early 1840s. - **Publishing Context**: Being published in London by Thomas Kelly indicates a transatlantic interest in the growing metropolis of New York, reflecting its emerging significance on the global stage. This print is not only an artistic representation but also a historical record, encapsulating the essence of New York City during a period of significant growth and development. Identifying specific buildings from a historical print like this one can be challenging, especially without modern landmarks for direct comparison. However, a few notable buildings and features from New York in the early 1840s could potentially be recognized based on historical context and architectural details. Potential Recognizable Buildings: 1. **St. Paul's Chapel**: Given its prominent spire and proximity to the center of early New York...
Category

Antique 1840s Prints

Materials

Paper

You May Also Like

Original Antique Print of New York City. Dated 1837
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great print of New York City Steel engraving after W.H Bartlett Published by Virtue 1837 Unframed. The measurement is the paper size. Free shipping  
Category

Antique 1830s English Other Prints

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Print of Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great print of Boston Steel engraving after the original drawing by W.H Bartlett Published circa 1850 Unframed.   
Category

Antique 1850s English Other Prints

Materials

Paper

Ancient View of Rock Island City - Original Lithograph - 1850
Located in Roma, IT
Ancient View of Rock Island City is an original modern artwork realized in Italy in the first half of the 19th Century. Original Lithograph on Ivory Paper...
Category

1850s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

1870 View of Proposed Brooklyn Bridge and New York City
By Theodore R. Davis
Located in Alamo, CA
This framed engraving entitled "Birds-eye View of the Southern End of New York and Brooklyn, Showing the Projected Suspension-Bridge Over the East River, From the Western Terminus in Printing-House Square, New York" by Theodore R. Davis (1840–1894) was published as a supplement of Harper's Weekly, November 19, 1870. The print is presented in a maple frame and a double mat. The frame measures 23.5" high, 29" wide and 0.75" deep. There is a vertical center fold and additional vertical lines, where wood engraving blocks were joined for the printing process. It is in excellent condition. This framed image depicting New York in 1870 was a centerfold for the November 19, 1870 issue of Harper's Weekly. It includes the site and eventual appearance of the East River New York-Brooklyn Bridge; the name later shortened to the Brooklyn Bridge. The print was issued eleven months after the start of construction of the bridge on January 2, 1870, which would take another 12.5 years to complete. When this view was drawn, work on the bridge was all below ground, constructing the supports for the bridge’s towers. Labels in the upper portion of the print identify locations in the background including "Light Ship...
Category

Late 19th Century Naturalistic Landscape Prints

Materials

Woodcut

Brussels, Belgium, birds-eye view, chromolithograph, c1870
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Brussels, Belgium, birds-eye view, chromolithograph, c1870 published by William Collins. 175mm by 225mm (image) 270mm by 335mm (sheet)
Category

Late 19th Century Naturalistic Landscape Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Large Original Antique Map of South Carolina, USA, 1894
By Rand McNally Co.
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Fabulous map of South Carolina Original color By Rand, McNally & Co. Published, 1894 Unframed Free shipping.
Category

Antique 1890s American Maps

Materials

Paper