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.

This view shows the a street scene in the city of Agra in northern India. Three camels and a number of natives roam the streets. The text below the view explains that the city is filled with palaces, mosques, hotels, and around 800 baths, and that around 25,000 Christian families reside there.

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Condition: B

Watermarked paper with light soiling in the image and moderate soiling in the blank margins. There are a few spots of foxing and a number of tears along the edges of the sheet, all of which have been closed on verso with archival tape.