Antique Coastal View of Carrick-a-Rede, Northern Ireland, Engraving, circa 1850

Carrick-a-Rede off the coast of County Antrim, an original antique steel engraving, uncolored, circa 1850. The caption below the image reads CARRICK-A-REDE.

The rocky islet of Carrick-a-Rede fills the center of the plate, linked to the mainland cliffs at the left by a thin rope bridge on which a figure is crossing. The sea surges white through the chasm below the bridge and around the foot of the rocks. A small cottage sits in a hollow of the islet, a few sheep graze on its grassy top, and two figures stand on its highest point. Gulls fly low over the water in the foreground, a long flock of birds crosses the sky at the upper left, and on the open sea to the right are two sailing boats and a rowing boat, with a far coast and drifting smoke along the horizon.

No artist or engraver is named on the plate. The imprint at lower left reads Aus d. Kunstanst. d. Bibliogr. Instit. in Hildbh. (from the art works of the Bibliographisches Institut in Hildburghausen), and at lower right Eigenthum d. Verleger (property of the publishers). A later pencil note in the lower left margin reads "Ierland."

The sheet comes from a dealer's album rather than from a bound set. Meyer's Universum was a serial collection of engraved views with descriptive text, published by Joseph Meyer's Bibliographisches Institut at Hildburghausen from 1833, its plates engraved on steel. The rope bridge was used by salmon fishermen to reach the islet and their fishing station there.

Handling soiling along the bottom, right and top edges. A few small foxing spots in the margin. Corners and edges are not shown by this scan. Clean, even paper tone in the margin.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.