Source of the Passaic Falls, New Jersey, Valley Forge Vignette, circa 1850

This original antique steel engraving, uncolored, is lettered "SOURCE OF THE PASSAIC FALLS." It shows a rocky gorge framed by two steep, layered cliffs, the left one pale and stepped, the right one dark and hung with vines. Between them lies a still pool with a pebbled edge, and beyond it the far bank rises as a sheer rock wall topped by woods and a small house. Tall pines stand on the level ground in the middle distance, where a man and a woman stand together and a man carrying a basket walks at the water's edge; in the foreground two men, one seated and one standing with a fishing rod, rest beside the water among ferns, broad leaves and flat stones.

Above the view a small uncaptioned emblem shows water spilling over a rocky ledge between bushes. The scrolling foliage border holds two lettered vignettes. At the lower left an officer on a rearing horse leads a line of soldiers under a flag, with a fallen man in the foreground, lettered "BATTLE NEAR PRINCETON 1777." At the lower right soldiers carry bundles of firewood among snow covered huts while sentries stand by, lettered "AMERICAN TROOPS WINTERING AT VALLEY FORGE." There is no artist or engraver credit under the view. The imprint at the foot reads "J. & F. TALLIS, LONDON & NEW YORK."

It comes from Hinton's History of the United States of America, published by J. and F. Tallis about 1850. John Howard Hinton (1791 to 1873) was an English Baptist minister and author, and J. and F. Tallis were London publishers of illustrated works sold in parts around the middle of the nineteenth century. The Battle of Princeton was fought in New Jersey in January 1777, and Valley Forge in Pennsylvania was the winter encampment of the Continental Army in 1777 to 1778.

A quiet landscape, suited to a study or hallway.

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