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1860 Winslow Homer Framed Wood Engraving

"The Drive in the Central Par, New York, September 1860"

This wonderful print provides a very early look at the landscape architecture masterpiece of Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux, Central Park in New York City. According to Olmsted, the park was "of great importance as the first real Park made in this century – a democratic development of the highest significance..."  The design of Olmstead and Vaux won the open competition in 1857 and the Park was not officially opened until 1873, so this engraving shows very much the start of the process of park development rather than the end.

The publisher based in New York City provides a description published with the print that is full of civic pride. It says the two page engraving is

 "a fine picture of the drive in our Central Park, which will be one of the first sights shown to the Prince [the Prince of Wales] when he comes here. It will, even in its unfinished state, give him a good idea of what we are doing in the way of civic comforts, and of the wealth and luxury of our citizens.

Our Park, which is progressing very satisfactorily under the management of the Commissioners, will undoubtedly be, one of these days, one of the finest place of the kind in the world...Those who saw the Park before the engineers went to work on it are amazed at the beautiful sites which have been contrived with such unpromising materials; all fair persons believe that the enterprise is managed with honesty and good taste."

Below is a close-up of the print which has the end of the title "September, 1860" and Winslow Homer's signature in the right corner.

Below is how the print will come to you matted, framed and glazed with Plexiglas. The print has bunched up a little at the top half of the centerfold but is otherwise in great condition.

Price: $175

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