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Item 65: Engraving titled “View on the Susquehanna,” by Charles Cousen, after William Henry Bartlett, 1840

 Item — Box: 21, Folder: 65

Dates

  • Created: 1840

Creator

Access:

All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.

Extent

1 items

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Type of Material:

Engraving

Condition Note:

Good.

Measurements:

9 ⅞ in. x 6 ¼ in.

Title:

View on the Susquehanna

Description:

An engraving overlooking a portion of the Susquehanna River with some distant farms, houses, and a canoe crossing the river. A mountain overlooks the landscape. The Susquehanna River is a major river located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and covers much of Pennsylvania. It stretches 444 miles long, making it the longest river on the East Coast, and the 16th largest river in the United States. The river is made up of two main branches including the North Branch and the West Branch. The river drains 27,500 square miles that includes much of Pennsylvania. The river empties into the northern part of the Chesapeake Bay. According to Valley Views of Northeastern Pennsylvania, by Gilbert S. McClintock, “Scene above Owego. This drawing was apparently copied by Currier & Ives (see plate 42).” This print was illustrated by William Henry Barlett and Engraved by Charles Cousen. William Henry Bartlett, born March 26, 1809 in Kentish Town, London, was best known for his many drawings rendered into steel engravings. He was an apprentice to John Britton (1771-1857) and became one of the most foremost illustrators of topography in his generation. Bartlett traveled often leading him throughout Britain, the Balkans and Middle East in the 1840s, and to North America between 1836 and 1852. Making several trips to the United States during this time, he gathered sketches of scenery. He began in New York and visited Niagara Falls, much of New England and the mid-Atlantic region. From here he produced well-known renditions of many points of interest. His works are popular with the public and described as “charming” and what it felt to experience these wonders in the 1830s. Charles Cousen, born in Yorkshire, was a line engraver and etcher. He was a student of W. and E. Finden who was a brother of the engraver John Cousen. He is known for engraving after a large number of landscape paintings, but he is most famous for over 50 plates he engraved for “The Art Journal” from 1850 to 1858.

Location:

Susquehanna River

Transcription:

A View on the Susquehanna Engraved for the Evergreen Pa

Repository Details

Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository

Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)