William Henry Bartlett (1809-1854) was a British landscape artist who traveled the world sketching views for a series of travel volumes issued in the nineteenth century. The most successful of all Bartlett's series was a work written by American author Nathaniel P. Willis and entitled American Scenery: or Land, Lake, and River Illustrations of Transatlantic Nature. The book and its engravings were first issued in a series of parts running to November 1839, and then the entire work was issued in two volumes in January 1840. It was reissued numerous times up to about 1870 and the views were often copied for other publications. Bartlett made several trips to the United States to gather sketches for American Scenery. He followed the popular tourist route from New York City, up the Hudson and then west to Niagara Falls. Also visiting New England and the mid-Atlantic region, Bartlett produced distinct and well loved images of most of the major sites of interest to tourists, both European and American. This collection of charming prints of the natural wonders, architectural monuments and city landmarks captures the look and feel of the United States in the 1830s as no other and they remain some of the most popular and pleasing prints of America ever issued.

An interesting view showing the precarious boardwalk and viewing tower overlooking the mighty falls.

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