Picturesque America; or The Land We Live In

A Delineation by pen and pencil of the mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, water-falls, shores, cañons, valleys, cities, and other picturesque features of our country. With illustrations of steel and wood, by eminent American artists. Edited by William Cullen Bryant. 2 Vols. 33x26 cm. Vol.I: 568 pp.+ 25 full-page engravings on steel h.t. Vol.II: vi+576 pp.+25 full-page engravings on steel h.t. Numerous engravings in-text. D. Appleton and Company, New York, 1872-1874.

--- Contemporary full leather binding with gilt letters and decoration. All edges gilt. Marbled endpapers. Very tight binding, repaired by professional bookbinder. Previous owner name written on the first two pages of each volume. Some foxing, sometimes affecting engravings. A few pages have traces of water (more photos available upon request - additional postage due to heavy weight).

--- "Picturesque America was a conspicuous presence in the popular culture of the United States in the post-Civil War years. First published as a magazine series in Appletons' Journal, then as a subscription book, in parts, from 1872 to 1874 it reached a huge audience. Its voluminous text and over 900 pictures represented the first comprehensive celebration of the entire continental nation. By testifying to the variety, uniqueness and potential wealth of the American landscape and the advanced civilization of its cities, 'Picturesque America' laid the foundation for a resurgence of nationalism rooted in the homeland itself, rather than in institutions of democracy as would have been the case earlier in the century"

Sue Rainey, Introduction to "Creating picturesque America: monument to the natural and cultural landscape"