The Preface of Picturesque America begins by informing the reader that “It is the design of the publication entitled ‘PICTURESQUE AMERICA’ to present full descriptions and elaborate pictorial delineations of the scenery characteristic of all the different parts of our country. The wealth of material for this purpose is almost boundless..."
This two-volume set features a collection of essays along with 900 wood engravings and more than 50 steel engravings by prominent American artists. The images depict picturesque elements of the United States in the mid-19th century, including mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, waterfalls, shores, canyons, valleys, and cities. Edited by the renowned Romantic poet William Cullen Bryant, the text provides extensive descriptions that complement the engravings and illustrate the scenery of America.
Originally released as a 48-part serial, Picturesque America was eventually compiled into two large volumes, published in 1872 and 1874 by D. Appleton and Company. The publication garnered a wide readership and significantly influenced the growth of tourism, conservation, and historic preservation in the United States.
