1768 LONDON: Daumont Horse Guards Parade Optical Print [recto Vue de Frankfort] - Topography

Two optical prints mount on boxwood (original for zograscope), recto and verso

1.

Daumont, Jean François, 1768

"Vue Perspective de la grande place du Parc St. Jacques a Londres." Horse Guards Parade, St, James’ Park, London

49.5 x 29.7 cm

And verso

Place dite le Tronc de Fer, Frankfurt am Main / Hauptwache

Both hand coloured

Jean François Daumont (fl.1740–1775) was a French printer and publisher. He moved to the Rue St Martin address in 1768, so the print can be dated after then and before the end of his career.

Optical prints (or vue d’optique) were made to be viewed in a special apparatus that provided the viewer with an illusion of depth (early 3-D). The large mirror employed in the viewing machine showed the image reversed so many of these views have the titles and information engraved forward and backwards to facilitate viewing in the machine or by hand. These prints were only produced for a short period of time (1740 to 1790) and then were replaced with the invention of the smaller steroviewer. These views are some of the most distinctive and interesting images of the eighteenth century, and their distinctive engraving style, striking perspective and bright original color makes them as visually delightful as they are historically fascinating.

Prints mounted recto and verso on trips of boxwood ready for the zagrascope

Both with original hand colour and in entirely original condition.