Description
Picturesque views of the Hudson River became popular subjects for artists at the turn of the 19th century, and West Point was a favored vantage point with its dramatic scenery of the river flanked by mountains on either side. The print is from a similar vantage point to the small engraved illustration of the “View from West Point” that appears in New York State Illustrated, or, The Tourist’s Guide Through the Empire State (1872); like the print it was published by Colt Publishing Co. The book illustration, however, shows a platform with cannons in the foreground, rather than the group of two women and a man in top hat and tails in this version. This print is apparently extremely rare; we were unable to find any other examples, or indeed any other separately issued prints published by the Colt Publishing Co.
The natural beauty of West Point also made it a popular tourist destination in the early and mid 19th century, and visitors arrived by train or on boat cruises up the Hudson. As the 19th century writers John Warner Barber and Henry Howe noted: “Standing on the parade ground and looking northward, the pass of the river through the highlands presents a picturesque scene of unsurpassed magnificence and beauty” (Deák, 326). Artists and publishers including Jacques Milbert, John Hill, William Bennett, and Currier and Ives produced prints of West Point, some as part of a series of Hudson River views.
The Colt Publishing Company was based in Albany, New York, and initially traded under the name of its owner, Mrs. S.S. Colt. She also wrote and edited some of its publications, including the guidebook New York State Illustrated, or, The Tourist’s Guide Through the Empire State (1872), which apparently sold well; it was still being advertised years later with quotes from positive reviews by New York newspapers. In 1872, the business changed its name to Colt Publishing Company with its main office in Albany, and a branch office in New York City.
Legend lower right: Published by the Colt Publishing Co.
Condition: Generally very good with the usual light overall toning, wear, soft creases. Later professionally rebacked with supporting Japanese tissue.
References:
“Business Changes.” The Publishers’ and Stationers’ Weekly Trade Circular. January-June 1872. Online at Archive.org: https://archive.org/stream/publishersandst01philgoog/publishersandst01philgoog_djvu.txt (12 April 2021).
Colt, S.S. New York State Illustrated, or, The Tourist’s Guide Through the Empire State. Albany, New York: Mrs. S.S. Colt, 1872. between pp. 46-47. Online at Google Books: https://www.google.com/books/edition/New_York_State_Illustrated_Or_the_Touris/4t87fZAkgyAC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=46 (12 April 2021).
Deák, Gloria Gilda. Picturing America. Princeton University Press: 1989. pp. 242, 326 (West Point views generally; this print not recorded in Deák or elsewhere to our knowledge).
