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Prints: Early Colonial Vue d'Optique of Boston

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:1,500.00 - 2,000.00 USD
Prints: Early Colonial Vue d'Optique of Boston
"VIEW OF THE STREET AND THE TOWN HALL IN BOSTON." Published in Augsburg, in original hand color. 14" x 19", Extremely Fine. Engraved by François Xavier. Legend in French and German. This very eye-catching print shows the buildings along the main street of Boston and some of the early inhabitants, including two finely dressed men conversing, a boy coaxing (with a stick) a heavily-laden donkey, and a man with a quiver of arrows on his back and a bow in his hand, along with a woman who has a child tied on her back. These last two are supposed to be Indians but they look like a colonial couple masquerading, with their white skin, un-Indian dress, and the woman's hair dressed as if she is about to go to a ball -- obviously a European's idea of how Indians would appear. This is an optical print, as shown by the backwards title at the top. Warm colors increase the appeal of this piece.